AAP leader Bhagwant Mann

AAP state unit president and MP Bhagwant Mann today targeted the Badals saying the Akalis raised the Panthic issues only when they were out of power.

In a statement, Mann said the Badals remembered Panth, its federal structure and the Anandpur Sahib resolution as soon as they were rejected by the people. In 1996, Parkash Singh Badal had abandoned the Panth in Moga and turned SAD into “Badal & Company”, he claimed.

Mann said the Akalis were in power with the BJP for 15 years, between 1997 and 2020, and for 12 years at the Centre. During this period, they never raised issues related to Panth, Punjab and its federal structure, let alone the Anandpur Sahib resolution.

“Will the entire ‘Badal & Company’ explain to the people of Punjab this lack of concern during their years in power,” asked Mann.

Even the Mughal invaders such as Ahmed Shah Abdali had not done as much damage to Punjab as they have, he claimed. — TNS