Muktsar, September 11
Former Chief Minister and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today urged all political parties to come on common platform to defend the state’s interest.

Mr Badal, addressed a gathering of SAD-BJP workers at a dharna staged in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here.

Former union minister Sukhbir Singh Badal promised that all facilities, which had been withdrawn from farmers, traders, employees and industrialists by the Congress government, would be restored when the SAD-BJP would come to power again.

Mr Gurtej Singh, Mr Har Nirpal Singh Kuku (both former MLAs), Mr Surjeet Singh Kang, President, SAD (Badal), Rajasthan, Mr Gurdas Badal, former MP and Mr Manjit Singh Barkandi were also present.

Later, Mr Sukhbir Badal and Mr Manpreet Badal submitted a memorandum to the Governor, Punjab through the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Usha R. Sharma.

HOSHIARPUR: Workers of the district unit of the SAD, led by Mr Varinder Singh Bajwa, district unit president, and Mr Balbir Singh Miani and Mr Des Raj Dhugga, both MLAs, staged a dharna in front of the district courts here.

FARIDKOT: More than 2000 activists, including senior leaders of the Akali Dal in this district took out a protest march in the town.

They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, former Agriculture Minister, Mr Kushal Deep Singh Dhillon and Mr Mantar Singh Brar, both MLAs of Faridkot and Kotkapura constituencies respectively, and Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, former Chairman Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission also spoke on the occasion.

JALANDHAR: Thousands of Akali workers participated in a dharna at the District Administrative Complex here.

Senior Akali leaders including former Punjab Minister, Mr Swaran Singh, former Chairman of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust, Mr Sarabjit Singh Makkar, District Jatha chief, Mr Partap Singh and thousands of workers assembled at the Gurudwara Central Town this afternoon and took out a procession which concluded in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Later, they burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister.

MANSA: SAD workers staged a dharna here in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Mr Harbant Singh Datewas, Budhlada MLA, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, former MLA, Mr Chatin Singh Samaon, former MP and Dr Lakhwinder Singh Moosa, president, District Youth Akali Dal, Badal also addressed the gathering.

NAWANSHAHR: Hundreds of SAD activists took out a protest march and held a dharna in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, former minister, Mr Resham Singh Thiasa, acting president of the district unit of SAD, Mr Nand Lal, MLA, also addressed the gathering.

FEROZEPORE: Putting up a massive show hundreds of workers of the Shiromani akali Dal gathered outside the Deputy Commissioners officeto protest against the Congress Government’s vindictive” policy against the Akalis.

Mr Zora Singh Mann, SAD MP criticised the Congress government. Former Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon said the state was heading towards social unrest.

AMRITSAR: Leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) promised farmers to provide free electricity if brought to power, at a rally attended by at least six sitting MLAs, former MLAs, Akali councillors in the corporation house and SGPC members. They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner here on Wednesday.

Mr Rajmohinder Singh Majithia, former MP, Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura MLA, Mr Rattan Singh Ajnala, MLA, Mr Manjit Singh, MLA, Vir Singh Lopoke, MLA. Mr Maninderjit Singh Kang were also present.

PATIALA: Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary and former minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh addressed a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here to protest against the withdrawal of free power facility to farmers.