DON’T SABOTAGE THE PARTY: SAD LEADERS TO DHINDSA

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders on Wednesday expressed faith in the leadership of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and urged estranged veteran and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa not to sabotage the party that had given him so much.

In a statement here, senior Akali leaders Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Tota Singh and Prem Singh Chandumajra said Dhindsa knew very well that he was a part of all the decisionmaking in the party both during the presidentship of Parkash Singh Badal as well as Sukhbir Singh Badal. “We all know how much importance the Badals have given to us. In light of this, it does not behove a senior leader like you to make any allegation against the party president and indulge in activities which will only serve to weaken the party,” the leaders said.

“You are trying to sow discord among Akali workers in league with disgruntled former SAD leaders who have self-styled themselves at Taksalis. The SAD workers will not appreciate this because for them, the party is supreme. The workers will never let any conspiracy to weaken the SAD succeed at any cost,” they said.

Sukhbir has been elected party president through a democratic process for the third time, they said, appealing Dhindsa not to do anything which will help the Congress in its plan to weaken the SAD and Sikh institutions, particularly the SGPC.

“We have stood hand in hand with Parkash Singh Badal through thick and thin and resisted numerous attempts by the Congress to end our existence. Today also, Punjab needs a strong SAD,” they said.