Bhagwant Mann has yielded power to Arvind Kejriwal: SAD

Talwandi Sabo, April 14

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal Sukhbir today accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of surrendering powers to AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was not only taking meetings of Punjab officers in his absence but also ordering postings of senior police and administration officials.

Addressing a SAD political conference at Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo on Baisakhi, Sukhbir accused Mann of visiting the Sikh shrine in an inebriated state. While asserting he wanted to give time to the new government to fulfil the promises made to people, Sukhbir said the CM’s actions were “intolerable”. He said this was not the first time Mann’s conduct had been questioned. “Mann had earlier visited this holy place in an inebriated condition, besides the Bargari dharna site,” alleged Sukhbir.

Was ‘inebriated’

Mann visited Damdama Sahib in an inebriated state, his actions are intolerable. This is not the first time he has done so. —Sukhbir Badal, SAD president

Stooping low

Allegations are baseless. It is really sad that chief of one of the oldest political parties has stooped so low. —Malwinder Singh Kang, AAP leader

The SAD chief said Kejriwal had not only taken control of the administration in Punjab, but was also using its resources such as the state helicopter for electioneering in Himachal Pradesh. “Even 90 commandos of the Punjab Police have been deputed with the Delhi CM,” he alleged.

He asked the AAP government to announce a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal to farmers facing losses due to low yield.

Accusing anti-Panthic forces of trying to weaken the SAD by defaming it, he said: “These forces want to take control of Guru-ghar. After the takeover of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), the next target is the SGPC.”

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Badal said the AAP government, besides compensating farmers for low yields, should reduce VAT on diesel and make arrangements for adequate supply of power.

Senior leader Sikandar Singh Maluka read out a resolution asking the Centre to release Sikh prisoners who had completed their jail term, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar and Jagtar Singh Hawara. The resolution was passed by the ‘sangat’ by raising of hands.

AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang termed the allegations baseless. “It is sad that president of the one of the oldest political parties has stooped so low. Even during the polls, the SAD leaders had levelled such baseless allegations and people of the state had rejected these by electing us with a thumping majority,” he said.

Shows lack of trust in officers: Cong

Chandigarh: CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Thursday said it was “unbelievable” the government had sent its officers for training to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. “Shows lack of trust in their capabilities. If this is the case, God save Punjab,” said Bajwa while reacting to a statement by CM Mann that on his orders, senior officers of the state government had gone to Delhi for training a few days ago. TNS