The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today got a major shot in arm as former Punjab Minister Captain Balbir Singh Bath today left the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to rejoin Akali Dal in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia. Welcoming Captain Bath in the Shiromani Akali Dal fold, the Chief Minister said that former Punjab Minister was a true Akali who has been a committed soldier of the party since long. He said that passion and love for Akali Dal was in the blood of Captain Bath and his return to the party would ensure massive victory of party from Sri Hargobindpur Sahib Assembly segment. “I am thankful to Captain Bath and assure him that he will be given due respect within the party” added Mr. Badal.Terming that the ensuing state assembly polls would be a fight between pro and anti Punjab forces, the Chief Minister said that the upcoming polls would be decisive for state as it would make or mar the future of state. He said that the fight during ensuing poll was between custodian of Punjab and Punjabis, the SAD and the enemies of state like AAP and Congress.
Reminding the people about the notorious past of Congress, the Chief Minister the Chief Minister said that Congress has irrelevantly meddled in the social, political, economic and even religious affairs of the state. He further bemoaned that the Congress governments at the centre had deliberately denied the state of Punjabi speaking areas, its capital Chandigarh and even its legitimate share in river waters. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that AAP was following the footstep of Congress by adopting anti-Punjab stance.The Chief Minister categorically stated that Punjab doesn’t have a single drop of spare water for anybody adding that SYL agreement was a grave injustice done by the successive Congress governments with the state. He said that Akali Dal was opposed to this agreement, which robbed the water of state, from day one adding that now also they were firm to their stand to not allow the construction of this canal at any cost. However, Mr. Badal said that Congress and AAP were hell bent upon constructing this canal to ruin the state.
The Chief Minister further said that water was basic ingredient of life and any such move to share the river waters of the state would be disastrous as it would ruin Punjab. He said that while doing the agreement of the SYL canal the then Congress government at the centre completely overlooked the universally accepted Riparian Principle on river water sharing. Mr. Badal reiterated that Akali Dal would not allow the construction of SYL canal at any cost.
Welcoming Captain Bath in Akali fold, Revenue & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that the former Minister’s experience in AAP has proved that this party was inimical to the interests of the state and its people. He said that AAP and its leadership was totally dishonest towards state. Quipping on proposed Majha Fateh Rally of AAP, the Minister said that this rally would a flop show adding that no one howsoever powerful may be could ever win the sacred land of Majha.Speaking on the occasion, former Minister Captain Balbir Singh Bath said that he was elated and proud to rejoin Akali Dal in presence of Chief Minster. Terming AAP as anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab, the former Minister said that its leadership was having dictatorial mindset, which no Punjabi could ever accept.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included MLA Mr. Manjit Singh Mianwind, former MLA Mr. Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. AK Mittal, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pardeep Sabharwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Jasdeep Singh.