Recognise ‘traitors’ who want to weaken ‘qaum’, says Sukhbir Badal amid rebellion in SAD

Chandigarh, August 15

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal on Thursday asked the 'qaum' (Sikh community) to recognise the "traitors" whose only target is to "weaken" the community.

He also asked the 'qaum' to identify those who are their own and who are not.

Badal's remarks came in the backdrop of a revolt by a section of party leaders, who wanted him to step down from the position of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president following the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha polls.

Badal was addressing a gathering at a conference organised in Issru, Ludhiana.

"Ours is a 103-year-old party. Today our 'qaum' (Sikh community) is being attacked. Your own party (SAD) is being attacked. There are some traitors within our 'qaum'. There are some people who are sold for 'chhotti chaudhars' (small positions) and gunmen (security men) while their only target is to weaken our 'qaum' (community)," said Badal.

"Instead of fighting against the attack, they are supporting our enemies," he added without naming anybody.

Badal said, "We should recognise who are traitors of the 'qaum'. Who are your leaders? Until we identify good and bad, we will continue to be attacked."

The SAD is facing the worst rebellion in its history with a section of party leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and Bibi Jagir Kaur, demanding that Badal step down.

The SAD has already expelled party's patron Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and eight other rebels on the charge of anti-party activities. PTI