‘WILL EXPOSE SUKHBIR, MAJITHIA’

Describing party’s decision to sack them as dictatorial, Brahmpura and Ajnala said they will hold a state-level rally to expose Sukhbir and Majithia soon. Besides, constituency level rallies will also be organised at Gurdaspur and Ajnala. “We will also reach the doorsteps of people to highlight the dictatorial style of functioning of the SAD president,” he said.

› Sukhbir and Majithia played an important role behind Takht’s move to grant pardon to the dera chief in blasphemy case. RANJIT SINGH BRAHMPURA, MP

We had asked Sukhbir and Majithia to seek apology from the Akal Takht for their sins, but they expelled us. RATTAN SINGH AJNALA, former MP

AMRITSAR: Minutes after they were expelled from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala termed the party’s decision of sacking them as ‘dictatorial’.

Talking to HT, Brahmpura said they will organise a statelevel rally to expose SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia soon. Besides, constituency-level rallies will also be organised at Gurdaspur and Ajnala. “We will also reach the doorsteps of people to highlight the dictatorial style of functioning of the SAD president,” he said.

The MP said, “As we had raised a banner of revolt against the functioning of Sukhbir and Majithia, we were prepared for such a consequence. The duo has decimated the party and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). They are also responsible for ‘destroying’ the sanctity of Akal Takht Sahib.”

“Sukhbir and Majithia also played an important role behind the Takht’s move to grant pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the blasphemy case. The previous SAD government had even deployed security for hassle-free release of the dera chief’s movie ‘MSG-2: The Messenger’ in Punjab in 2015.”

He added, “We have been just raising these issues which caused a dent on the image of the Akali Dal. We will continue holding public meetings to expose the real faces of the party president and his brother-in-law.”

‘MUTE SPECTATOR’

Targeting former CM Parkash Singh Badal, Brahmpura said, “He (Badal) is watching everything like a mute spectator. We have been working for the betterment of the party. We even didn’t care about our interests while strengthening Badal’s hands, but his silence at present is shameful.”

Asked if he is inclined to join hands with the Sukhpal Singh Khaira faction of Aam Aadmi Party, he said, “If someone comes to us, we will talk.”

Brahmpura had held a public meeting at the historic village of Chohla Sahib in Tarn Taran district on November 4 which was considered as his show of strength against the SAD leadership. Brahmpura had resigned as SAD senior vice-president, core committee member and chairman of the party’s disciplinary panel on October 23.

‘DICTATOR AT HELM’

Meanwhile, talking to HT, Ajnala said: “The party’s move to expel us is a dictatorial decision. The Akali Dal is being steered by a dictator — Sukhbir Singh Badal. Though we are not in the party now, we will continue exposing Sukhbir and Majithia.”

He said, “We had asked Sukhbir and Majithia to seek apology from Akal Takht for their sins, but instead of apologising, they expelled us. This is a very shameful act. We just wanted to salvage the dented image of the Akali Dal.”

He added, “Lok Sabha elections are approaching and the voters of Punjab will give a befitting reply to SAD for sacking us.”