Akali rebel faction leaders seek votes for BJP’s Jammu candidate, SAD questions moral stance of Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that parted ways with the BJP-led coalition alleged that the Sudhar Lehar leaders are dancing to the tune of BJP and Nagpur( RSS). SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Kler said that the rebel group is playing with the emotions of people in Punjab.

Meanwhile, sources revealed Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, which has chosen to stay from any alliance, has set up a disciplinary committee to take appropriate action in the matter and has sought an explanation from the leaders for openly supporting the BJP candidate.

Chandumajra who has claimed to have visited Jammu for a personal function said that Sikh community was at one page for Dr Raina.

In a press conference from Jammu South Chandumajra and Barnala were seen seated along with BJP leader Sarpanch Balwinder Singh Happy. Happy told reporters, “I got information that our guests from Punjab are coming to support Dr Raina and hence within one hour, I made arrangements to welcome them. This is for the first time that BJP has given a ticket to a Sikh candidate from Jammu South.”

In the video, Chandumajra addressed Happy as his close friend and alleged that Congress was behind Sikh genocide in 1984, attack on Akal Takht Sahib.

“Narinder Singh Raina is a Sikh face with whom the Sikh community is standing behind him irrespective of the party from which he is contesting. I am sure that he will win from Jammu South and afterwards, we will also use our influence to get him inducted in the Cabinet,” he said.

Barnala also urged the voters to support Dr Raina to help him secure a majority.

Arshdeep Kler said, “we had been saying for long now that the ‘so called Sudhar Lehar’ leaders are dancing to the tune of BJP and Nagpur (RSS). Now the cat is out of the bag…they are officially campaigning for the BJP candidate and seeking votes for him”.

“They had been accusing SAD of deviating from panthic principles but what about their leaders campaigning for the BJP candidate directly, when the BJP hasn’t resolved the issues of release of bandi Singhs,” he mentioned.

Kler questioned the political stance of Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar when the BJP is continuously interfering with the Sikh religious affairs. “They could have supported any other Sikh candidate as well but they chose the BJP candidate only. So should we consider it a merger of Sudhar Lehar with the BJP or an alliance?” he asked.

Prof Chandumajra, however, justified that while in Jammu for a personal visit he got to know that the entire Sikh community had come together to support Narinder Singh Raina.

Hinting an inclination towards the BJP, he said the BJP created Kartarpur Sahib corridor, got 1984 riots culprit Sajjan Kumar punished “which we cannot ignore”.

“But at the same time, our issues of release of Bandi Singhs, justice for farmers and many other issues stand tall and we will fight for these issues with the BJP. At the same time it is a fact that the Congress was behind the attack on Darbar Sahib in Amritsar, 1984 riots and Sikh community can never forget that. The Sikh community in Jammu South is united. I appreciated that. No one invites them (SAD Badal) anywhere and hence they are cooking up stories for no reason,” Chandumajra alleged.

Meanwhile Gurpartap Singh Wadala, convenor of Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, clarified that the party does not support any political party in the polls being held in the neighbouring states. “Sikh voters of those states can decide on their own regarding which party they should support. Chandumajra and Barnala had gone to Jammu on individual capacity and we have sought an explanation from them over this visit. Otherwise, our stand is clear that till the time issues of Sikhs panth are not resolved, we will not be supporting any political party,” Wadala said.

Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar was formed in July this year after breaking away from SAD.