Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today appealed to the party rank and file not to be swayed by rumours and display unity to strengthen the party at this juncture, even as it asserted the party would continue to uphold its principles and panthic values at all costs.
Addressing a press conference here, party general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhundur made it clear that no one had demanded the resignation of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal who had been elected to his chair through a democratic process.“Victories and defeats happen. They are not because of any one person. Moreover generals are not changed overnight”, he asserted while appealing to all senior colleagues to come together to strengthen the party.
When pointedly asked about issues raised by senior leader Jagmeet Singh Brar, the SAD leader said “I have not watched his statement completely but I can assert the party is always open to discuss all issues in the appropriate party forum”.
Mr Balwinder Bhundur made it clear that all issues, including the Iqbal Singh Jhundan sub-committee report would be discussed soon by the party. “Discussion on the report was earlier put off till the Sangrur by-poll”, he added.
The SAD general secretary also reached out to the party cadre while thanking them for their untiring efforts in the Sangrur by-poll. He said all parties faced ups and downs. “You have seen how the BJP rose from the ashes after going down to three MPs nationwide to sweep the country. The change in voter mood vis-à-vis the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also in front of you. There is no reason to be demoralized. The SAD is a hundred year old party with a glorious heritage. While the party will introspect on the recent Sangrur by-poll result, there is need to speak in one voice in keeping with past traditions of the party”.
Speaking about the Sangrur by-poll, Mr Bhundur said “the SAD teamed up with all panthic organizations to field a joint candidate on the appeal of the Sri Akal Takth Sahib jathedar. “We supported the name forwarded by the panthic organizations. Biba Kamaldeep Kaur Rajoana was fielded on the SAD symbol at the request of her brother Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who is incarcerated in jail for the last 28 years without parole even after the completion of his life sentence”.
Asserting that the SAD had led a principled fight in Sangrur, Mr Bhundur said “we are committed to taking up the issue of securing freedom for Sikh detenues at all available forums and will even press the centre to release them forthwith. He said the AAP government should also release Prof Dewinderpal Bhullar, whose release had been cleared by the required government committee, immediately.
He said the SAD had earlier also taken up peoples causes as well as abuse of human rights by opposing the Emergency besides launching ‘morchas’ to save the river waters of Punjab.
Senior leaders Harcharan Singh Bains and Charanjit Singh Brar were also present on the occasion.
