Having Discarded The Panthic Agenda During The Elections, The Akalis Are Now Making Up For It,

[Azaad]

The SAD, which chose to discard its Panthic agenda during campaigning, is gearing up for its second innings in alliance with the BJP from the historic Banda Bahadur Memorial at Chappar Chiri. The choice of the venue has raised many an eyebrow.

Noted Sikh scholar Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian said: “I don’t know what message the SAD wants to convey, but it seems a mere gimmick. Leave alone Sikh issues, the SAD didn’t even raise key Punjab issues like water, Chandigarh and the transfer of Punjabi-speaking areas. It is no longer a Panthic party.”

He, however, praised Parkash Singh Badal for outplaying other political parties in the elections.

Former SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta said: “The SAD is merely trying to please the Panthic vote bank. It projected a secular image during the elections by shunning the Panthic agenda and are now making up for it. ”

Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh said the SAD had not abandoned its Panthic agenda, but had focused more on development during the elections. “The inauguration of various memorials and the Panth Rattan awarded to Badal ahead of the assembly poll proves that the SAD never turned its back on the Panthic agenda.”

He said the SAD had devoted two pages in its poll manifesto to Panthic issues, touching almost all key points. “The SAD has chosen March 14 for the swearing-in, the first day of New Year as per the Nanakshahi Calendar,” he added.