SAD suspends poll drive, panel to hold talks with farmers
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday suspended it’s election outreach programme by six days in view of ongoing protests by farmers against the party.
The 100-day ‘Gal Punjab di Lok Lehar’ campaign, which began on August 18, was put on hold till September 10. Besides this, the party also announced the formation of a three-member panel to talk to the protesting farmers and “remove all misunderstandings”.
“@Akali_dal_ core committee has decided to reschedule #Gallpunjabdi campaign by 6 days. We have formed a 3-member committee comprising BS Bhundar,prof PS Chandumajra & MS Sirsa to talk to farmer orgs & remove all misunderstandings. Campaign will restart from Amloh on Sept 10,” party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal tweeted.
On Thursday, at least 50 farmers and seven policemen were injured in clashes which erupted after protesters allegedly tried to disrupt a SAD rally led by the party chief in Moga district. Badal alleged the protesters were “not farmers but owed allegiance to the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party”.
Requesting leaders of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a platform of farm unions spearheading the protests since November, not to disturb peace in Punjab, Badal said: “Our team is ready to answer any question posed by them regarding our policies.”
Sukhbir alleged that the police were being used by the Congress to fulfil its political objectives which will cost Punjab dearly in days to come.