Akali Dal 'Waris Punjab De' received a major boost today as former MLA and former Parliamentary Secretary to the Punjab Government, S. Darshan Singh Shivalik, joined the party along with his supporters. He was warmly welcomed into the party by its Patron Bapu S. Tarsem Singh Khalsa, MLA S. Manpreet Singh Ayali, Secretary General S. Mandeep Singh Sidhu and other senior leaders.
A function was organised at Canal Road, Ludhiana, where a large number of Sarpanches, Panches and party workers from all villages of the Gill Assembly constituency attended and registered their support for the party. Addressing the gathering, Bapu S. Tarsem Singh Khalsa welcomed S. Darshan Singh Shivalik into the party and said that Punjab needs a purely Panthic government.
He announced that Akali Dal 'Waris Punjab De' will contest the forthcoming Punjab Assembly elections under the leadership of Member of Parliament Bhai S. Amritpal Singh Khalsa, who is the party's Chief Ministerial candidate. He added that people from every section of society are standing firmly with the party and its policies.
Speaking to the media, Bapu S. Tarsem Singh Khalsa said that a large number of people are joining the party every day. He also made it clear that Akali Dal 'Waris Punjab De' will not enter into any alliance with any national political party in the upcoming Assembly elections.
He said that only a regional party can effectively resolve Punjab's issues. Earlier, MLA S. Manpreet Singh Ayali thanked the large gathering for attending the event. He said the overwhelming public support reflects that the next Panthic government is set to be formed in Punjab.
Stressing the party's vision, he said that Akali Dal 'Waris Punjab De' alone can provide the right direction and governance to the state. During the event, the party also expressed its support for ensuring compliance with the Hukamnama ssued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the controversial video matter.
He said that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community and its directives are supreme. He further stated that he would appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29 in accordance with its directions.
On the occasion, S. Darshan Singh Shivalik thanked the party leadership for reposing faith in him and said that he would discharge whatever responsibility is entrusted to him with complete dedication and sincerity. He added that after trying different political parties, the people of Punjab now have high expectations from Akali Dal 'Waris Punjab De', and the party will live up to those expectations.
Among those present on the occasion were, Kabal Singh Bhullar, Amarjit Singh Vanchiri, Sandeep Singh Rupalon, Harbhajan Singh Tur, Harbir Singh Ayali, Prithipal Singh Batala, Jagraon Constituency In-charge Rajiv Kumar Lovely, Mandeep Singh Hasanpur, Harpal Singh Kohli, Harpreet Singh Prince, Honey Singla, Harbhajan Singh Ayali, Jagroop Singh, Malkit Singh Ball and Balraj Singh Ludhiana.