90 yr old Akali family joins Congress in Jagaraon

90 yr old Akali family joins Congress in Jagaraon

JAGARAON, March 7: In a major development that is certain to have a significant impact on the Akali politics in Jagaraon area, a leading Akali family with over nine decades of association with the Shiromani Akali Dal today joined the Congress at village Hansi Kallan near here in presence of senior party leaders including the national spokesperson of the AICC, Manish Tewari, MLAs, Darshan Singh Brar, Isher Singh and Gurdeep Singh Bhaini and former Dakha MLA, Milkiat Singh Dakha.

Speaking on the occasion, the family head Mandeep Singh, son of Buta Singh said, he was fed up with the “family politics” of the father son-duo of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy Chief Minister son Sukhbir Badal. He observed, the Shiromani Akali Dal which had been founded decades ago with so many great sacrifices for the noble mission to watch the interests of the panth had been restricted to watch the interests of a single family that of Parkash Singh Badal.

Several other leaders from the SAD also joined the Congress today at another function. They included Harnek Singh cooperative society member, Harbhajan Singh, member Panchayat Samiti, Sukhdev Singh Member block samiti and others, alongwith hundreds of their supporters.

Addressing the meetings the national spokesperson of the AICC, Manish Tewari welcomed the Akali leaders to the Congress. He appreciated their acknowledgment of the policies of the Congress. He pointed out, it was the Congress which had given the country its first Sikh Prime Minister and made the Sikhs, not only in Punjab but world over, to feel proud of their identity.

Tewari said, the fact that so many leaders with such a long association with the SAD like the family of Mandeep Singh joining the Congress was indicative of an emerging trend that people were disillusioned with the policies of the SAD, which had become the private company of the Badals. He assured all the leaders that their urges and aspirations would be duly taken care of in the Congress.

Meanwhile at a separate function organized jointly by the councilors of Ward 27 and 28, Hemraj Aggarwal and Mukhtiar Kaur in Dakha assembly segment, last night Tewari reminded the SAD-BJP government in the state of its false promises made to the people of the state.

He pointed out, two years had already passed and the government was yet to deliver on its promises. “Where is the metro in Ludhiana?”? he asked, while adding, there were so many promises which the SAD-BJP government had made to the public without any intent of fulfilling. He said, the people were feeling betrayed and let down and they were now waiting for the parliamentary elections to teach them a lesson.

For Dakha MLA, Milkiat Singh Dakha, councilors Hemraj Aggarwal and Mukhtiar Kaur and the chairman of the HOUSEFED, KK Bawa also addressed the meeting. (eom)