The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday raised serious questions over the conduct of the Shiromani Akali Dal, stating that its public posturing on law and order stands in complete contradiction to its actions on the ground. AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said that while the Akali Dal claims to be concerned about the situation in Punjab, its own decisions reflect open patronage to criminals and gangster networks.
AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu stated, “The party which is today shedding crocodile tears over the state’s law and order situation has, in reality, been at the forefront of providing political patronage to criminals and gangsters. The condition of the Akali Dal is such that on one hand it talks about peace, and on the other, it is handing over political power to the wife of a notorious gangster by appointing her as a ‘halka in-charge’.”
He further pointed out that such instances are not isolated, but part of a broader pattern within the party. “The Akali Dal has not done this at just one place, but has made similar attempts in several other constituencies as well to fit close associates of gangsters into mainstream politics.
Does the Akali Dal have such a shortage of honest workers that it now has to rely on the families of gangsters to run the party? This is a direct betrayal of the people of Punjab,” Baltej Pannu said. Referring to recent developments, he highlighted a case involving the family of gangster Goldy Brar.
“A case of extortion was registered against the parents of notorious gangster Goldy Brar. When they approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court against this action, the court dismissed their petition. What was surprising was that the lawyer who appeared in court on behalf of Goldy Brar’s family was directly associated with the Akali Dal.
This has completely exposed their double standards,” he added. Baltej Pannu said that the contradiction between the Akali Dal’s statements and actions is now evident to the public. “On one hand the Akali Dal pretends to corner the government over law and order, while on the other hand the same people stand as a shield for those who break the law and engage in extortion.
Inducting criminals into the party, appointing them as constituency in-charges, and defending their cases clearly proves that while the Akali Dal wears a political cloak, it sympathies with anti-social elements as well. The people of Punjab have now recognized this dangerous and double-faced character of the Akali Dal,” he stated.