Kamaljeet Singh Karwal joins SAD; Bains brothers were always ‘demanding’, says Sukhbir Badal

When asked about his defection and soured relations with Bains (who himself was once a part of Akali Dal), Karwal said, “All I can say is that one takes such decisions when things go out of hand. Bains’ brothers (Balwinder Bains and Simarjit Bains) are selfish. They used me for so many years and I was a fool to support them.”

Reacting to various messages being circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook on Karwal moving to SAD for a ‘plum post’ being offered to him by Badals, Karwal said, “Now here is a pot calling the kettle black. Bains has no right to call me a traitor when he himself defected from Akali Dal just because he was denied the ticket.” He added that ‘Bains brothers are spreading false rumours of him joining SAD because he was denied the post of deputy mayor’ and that ‘he never demanded the post’.

Quick to support Karwal was Sukhbir Badal who said that ‘although Bains brothers were once a part of Akali Dal and he enjoyed good relations with them, they were always demanding and selfish.’ “They demanded a minister berth and one MP ticket, and when we refused, they left Akali Dal,” said Badal.

Karwal faces attempt to murder charges along with Bains for thrashing tehsildar G S Benipal in 2009. The investigation in the case is now pending with CBI following SC orders on July 8, 2014.

Bains reacts, compares Karwal to a ‘sparrow’

MLA Simarjit Singh Bains took to his official Facebook account and compared Karwal to a sparrow.

“Badlan de barsan naal hamesha chidiyaan apna rasta badal lendiyaan ne, baaj ta toofana vich vi kalle uddhan da hosla rakhde ne,” wrote Bains, comparing himself to an eagle. (When clouds (Badal) thunder, sparrows change their way, but eagles are courageous enough to fly alone).

When contacted for comments, he said, “Today in 25 minutes of his speech, the deputy CM spent 22 minutes saying ‘Bains’. This shows his frustration. For Karwal, I would not like to say anything because he is my dear friend. I pray for the best of his life and political career.”

Bumpy ride

Bains started his political career from SAD (Amritsar), and then joined SAD (Badal) in 2004. Later in 2007, he won the councillor polls of Ludhiana MC from Akali Dal. In 2011, denied ticket for Assembly polls, he announced independent candidature against Hira Singh Gabaria and was expelled from Akali Dal.

He won the polls against Gabaria and again announced support for Akali Dal. In 2014, he again fought polls as an Independent against SAD candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali after SAD denied ticket to him. He and Ayali both lost the polls. Meanwhile, Akali leader Hira Singh Gabria was missing from the ceremony on Sunday.

He lost Assembly polls from Atam Nagar in 2012 against Bains. Bains’ close aide, councillor Jagbir Singh Sokhi, too left him and joined Akali Dal few years back.