Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab’s State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday responded strongly to the statement made by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal that if his government comes to power, drug traffickers and gangsters would be declared “terrorists” in the first cabinet meeting. Addressing a press conference at the party office, Baltej Pannu said that Sukhbir Singh Badal appears to be under the illusion that the people of Punjab have forgotten the dark period from 2007 to 2017.
“The truth is that the seeds of drugs (‘chitta’) and gangsterism in Punjab were sown during the Akali-BJP government, and it was under their patronage that they flourished. Before 2007, Punjab had never even heard the word gangster. It was during Sukhbir Singh Badal’s rule that criminals received political patronage,” he added.
The AAP Punjab State Media Incharge recalled that in Amritsar, when an ASI was murdered while trying to protect his daughter’s honour, people associated with the Akali Dal openly celebrated with bhangra. “Under whose tenure did the Nabha jail break take place?
Who was responsible for the broad daylight abduction of a minor girl in Faridkot? These are all signs of the Akali Dal’s reign of hooliganism. Those criminals who roamed fearlessly in expensive vehicles fitted with hooters and speakers during that time later went on to become gangsters,” Baltej Pannu said.
Baltej Pannu further said, “Between 2007 and 2012, drug outlets opened across Punjab, and after the government was re-elected in 2012, chitta reached its peak. The sin of pushing an entire generation of Punjab into the swamp of drugs lies on Sukhbir Singh Badal’s head.
Whenever the police arrested drug smugglers, within half an hour their photographs with Akali leaders would surface, and recommendations from ministers would reach to secure their release. Today, the same Sukhbir Singh Badal is talking about taking action in the first meeting, which is completely laughable.”
Highlighting the efforts of the AAP government, Baltej Pannu said, “The AAP Government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is honestly fighting a war against drugs and gangsters. Committees have been formed down to the village level, and the police are working with full alertness.
At a time when the Bhagwant Mann government is eradicating these evils from the roots, Sukhbir Singh Badal is once again driven by hunger for power so that he can rebuild the same old drug empire.” Referring to past incidents, Baltej Pannu said, “The people of Punjab can never forget that during their rule, incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place in Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala.
When people were peacefully protesting, who ordered the firing on them? In the Kotkapura firing incident case, Sukhbir Singh Badal himself is currently out on bail. Not only that, prominent Sikh personalities and even the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh Ji, are raising questions against the Akali family, yet Sukhbir Singh Badal has maintained deep silence on the matter.”
Baltej Pannu said, “In his next rally, Sukhbir Singh Badal should tell the people of Punjab what he did during his 10 years in power. How did chitta enter Punjab between 2007 and 2017, and how did scooter repair mechanics become owners of billions?
The people of Punjab do not have such weak memories that they would forget the blood of their loved ones and the youth who were destroyed. Sukhbir Singh Badal should stop dreaming because Punjab has now recognized their true face.”