AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—On the eve of inaugurating a project at Durgaiana Temple at Amritsar on August 27, the president of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and the Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Badal, made it clear that the Shiromani Akali Dal won’t accept AAP’s state convener, Sucha Singh Chhotepur. He added that the Shiromani Akali Dal has its own team of hardworking, honest and determined workers and “there is no place for people like Chhotepur”.
Appraising the attendees about the achievements of the Akali-BJP government, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the alliance has created an exemplary development in Punjab. He claimed that the Akali Dal-BJP led Punjab government was the plaintiff of the communal harmony in the state and every religion was being given respect by the government.
Akali Dal is facing a strong competition by the Aam Aadmi Party for the upcoming 2017 elections in Punjab. While AAP has gathered support from different factions in Punjab, it is facing internal issues, including corruption charges on Sucha Singh Chhotepur. Chhotepur was recently removed as the State Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party after he was allegedly found collecting a bribe. Chhotepur has since leveled serious allegations on the Aam Aadmi Party, including its head Arvind Kejriwal, blaming him for ignoring religious sentiments of the Sikhs.
Chhotepur was asked to appear before AAP’s investigation team, however he refused, requesting inclusion of Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa as the investigators.
At the Durgiana Mandir, Sukhbir Badal attempted to woo Hindu voters. “Our SAD-BJP led Punjab Government believes in the power of faith and religions alike. We have always honored and bowed down to all religious establishments and believe that this is the best way to keep the community together,” he said while speaking there. “I was delighted to see the response and the happiness of the Punjabi people at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the beautification of Durgiana Mandir Plaza. We are committed to the happiness of Punjabis and this is just a small step towards fulfilling the same,” he added.
Sukhbir Badal says there is no place in the Akali Badal party for someone accused of accepting bribes. Is the probity and integrity bar much higher in Badal’s party or is mere suspicion is not enough, the person must actually be guilty to be acceptable as a member? Quite shameless.