PROMISES CRACKDOWN ON DRUG SMUGGLERS AND GANGSTERS IF AKALI DAL RETURNS TO POWER; RESOLVING TRADERS’ PROBLEMS TO BE TOP PRIORITY
Naresh Kumar/Barnala
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has fuelled speculation about a possible revival of the alliance between the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after refraining from making any remarks against the BJP and not projecting a party candidate for the Barnala Assembly constituency during a traders’ meeting here on Thursday.
Addressing a Vyapari Milni organised at a local private venue under the leadership of SAD regional in-charge Kulwant Singh Kanta, Badal launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging that it had failed on all fronts. He appealed to the people to bring the Akali Dal back to power, promising security, better facilities and solutions to the problems faced by the business community.
Badal said that if the SAD returned to power, his government would take stringent measures to eliminate drug smugglers and gangsters from Punjab.
He said action would be initiated in accordance with the law to attach properties allegedly acquired through drug trafficking. Protecting the younger generation from drugs must be a priority for the government, he added.
On the gangster menace, the SAD president asserted that his party would take strict action against criminal elements and restore law and order in the state.
Referring to the case involving anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota, Badal targeted the AAP government, alleging that it had failed to address major issues confronting Punjab.
Remarks fuel speculation about SAD-BJP alliance
Badal’s speech also triggered political speculation about a possible renewed alliance between the SAD and the BJP ahead of the next Assembly elections.
During the meeting, he did not specifically name any SAD leader as the party’s prospective candidate from the Barnala Assembly constituency, nor did he make a direct appeal for votes in favour of any particular leader.
His decision not to project a candidate, coupled with the absence of criticism of the BJP in his address, was seen by some political observers present at the meeting as a possible indication of a change in the SAD’s political strategy.
Observers felt that if the SAD and the BJP revived their alliance, the Barnala Assembly seat could go to a BJP candidate. However, Badal did not make any formal announcement regarding an alliance or seat-sharing arrangement.
Resolving traders’ problems to be top priority
Emphasising the importance of the business community, Badal said the growth of traders and entrepreneurs would create employment opportunities and strengthen Punjab’s economy.
He assured traders that addressing their problems would be the foremost priority of an SAD government. He also promised to provide them with a secure business environment and better facilities. More than 500 traders, including representatives of small businesses and the Small Scale Industries Association, attended the meeting.
