Chandigarh, August 9
The SAD has finally entered the agitational mode. On the programme given by SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal, party workers held dharnas at various district headquarters today in protest against the alleged excesses on Akali workers and leaders and “anti-people, anti-employee, anti-Dalit policies” of the Amarinder Singh Government.

Claiming that party workers participated in the “dharnas” in big way in all districts, Mr Badal said in a statement that resentment among people against the Punjab Government was on the increase. The statement was released by Mr Iqbal Singh Tiwana, secretary of the party.

Mr Badal said that Capt Amarinder Singh had failed on all fronts. All senior leaders such as Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, Bibi Jagir Kaur and others participated in the dharnas. At certain places even employees and traders participated in the dharnas.

AMRITSAR: The district unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal today staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Friday.

The speakers alleged that human rights were being violated.

A memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner enlisting various demands was also submitted.

KAPURTHALA: Differences among SAD workers surfaced on Friday at a dharna where supporters of Dr Upinderjit Kaur, former minister and sitting SAD MLA from Sultanpur Lodhi, interrupted Mr Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, Director, Punjab Mandikaran Board, and Mr Jaimal Singh, member, SGPC and president, municipal council, Sultanpur Lodhi in their speaches, calling them traitors.

BATHINDA: Former ministers and MLAs of the Shiromani Akali Dal, participated in a dharna staged near the office of the Deputy Commissioner today as part of the statewide agitation against the alleged atrocities and misgovernance of the Capt Amarinder Singh-led government.

The activists of SAD passed some resolutions on the occasion.

FARIDKOT: Mr Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, local SAD, MLA, has alleged that the people were feeling insecure under the prevailing conditions in the state. He was addressing a district-level dharna organised by the party workers and senior leaders here today to protest against the state government for its anti-people policy.

MANSA: Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, general secretary, SAD, and Sardulgarh MLA, accused the Amarinder government of implicating Akali leaders in false cases. He said the Chief Minister was bent upon finishing SAD, which would not be allowed. He said this while addressing a rally here on Friday at the district court complex.

Mr Bhunder refuted the allegations levelled against him by Congress candidate Ajitinder Singh Mofar. He offered to exchange his property created during the past 40 years with that of Mr Mofar.