Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for abandoning Punjabis during a period of crisis even as it asserted it would force the government to provide adequate compensation to farmers and Khet mazdoor besides committing itself to providing requisite relief to flood affected people.
Addressing a press conference here, SAD Treasurer NK Sharma said party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal had worked day and night to provide relief to flood affected farmers. “Not only was the SAD president the first to reach the distressed farmers but he also provided cash, diesel and other necessary material to plug breaches and strengthen bundhs.
He said instead of appreciating the unique “sewa” done by Mr Badal a concerted defamation campaign had been initiated by the Lifafa Dal headed by Giani Harpreet Singh. He said both the AAP government as well as the central government were using Giani Harpreet as a front to defame the Akali Dal.
“Both governments are least bothered about the welfare of Punjab and their one point agenda is to defame Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal” Mr N K Sharma released copies of bills for diesel and other essential material including pump sets, plastic pipes, tarpaulins and iron meshes on the occasion.
Asserting that the SAD and the SGPC were working separately to provide relief material to affected farmers, Mr Sharma said both organizations were working to provide certified wheat seed to farmers for one lakh acres of land. Asserting that Mr Badal not only had the vision of providing relief to the flood affected farmers but also rehabilitating them, Mr Sharma said a comprehensive programme involving distribution of ration, dry fodder, maize silage and certified seeds had been finalized and would be executed from next week.
“This had made both the AAP government and Giani Harpreet jittery and this is why they have started a defamation campaign against Mr Badal”. Asserting that people were however aware of this reality, he said the defamation campaign would fall flat. EOM.