Former minister Anil Joshi quits SAD, says party entangled only in ‘panthic’ agenda

He was expelled from the BJP after he criticised the party for “mishandling” the farm agitation in 2021. Thereafter, he joined the SAD.

His resignation comes just four days after Sukhbir Singh Badal resigned for the post of party president.

Joshi, who was also SAD vice-president, sent his resignation to party’s acting president Balwinder Singh Bhunder.

In the letter, Joshi said he had joined the SAD in 2021 when the BJP expelled him from the party for six years for raising voice in favour of Punjab and farmers against the now-repealed three farm laws. “I joined the SAD because I always felt that Parkash Singh Badal is the flag bearer of Punjab’s unity, integrity and mutual brotherhood and as CM for five times, he always respected every religion. I saw this thinking in Sukhbir Singh Badal,” he wrote.

However, referring to the recent events within the party, he expressed his disappointment. “I feel that nothing is being said about the real issues of Punjab, nor is there any mention of the brotherhood and unity for which I had joined the party,” he said.

Criticising the party’s current direction, he said, “It seems that the SAD is now entangled only in religious and Panthic agendas. I have always been a supporter of secularism and comprehensive development and I don’t see any place for myself in this ‘Panthic’ politics.”

Sukhbir Singh Badal had to resign from the post of SAD president because of the situation that arose in the party and the issues that dominate it after the death of Parkash Singh Badal, Joshi wrote. He said it is not possible for him to serve the people of Punjab by being in the SAD.

“Therefore, I am sending my resignation from the primary membership and all positions to the party,” he wrote.

When contacted, Bhunder said, “I don’t want to comment on any resignation. We are a strong party and will come out strong from this temporary phase soon.”