*Sukhbir Badal fields relatives of known gangsters as candidates & then claims to eliminate gangsterism: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal* *From Majha to Malwa, Every Major Akali Family Distanced Itself from This 'Jija-Sala' Faction: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal* *Punjab Knows Badal Family Very Well, Sukhbir Badal is Following Parkash Singh Badal's Path of Hypocrisy, Fear Mongering and Self Serving Politics: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal* *Answer questions on 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGPC irregularities, Sauda Sadh pardon, Beadbi, gangster patronage & misleading Punjab’s youth for politics before lecturing others: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal* CHANDIGARH /AMRITSAR, 22nd February 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Sunday took on the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), stating that Sukhbir Singh Badal, like his father Parkash Singh Badal, is indulging in as “double-faced politics” and attempting to mislead the people of Punjab with recycled rhetoric and fresh claims. Addressing a press conference in Amritsar, AAP Punjab Chief Spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that before making tall claims about eliminating gangsterism, Sukhbir Singh Badal must first answer for his own record. “You cannot field a family member of a known gangster as your candidate in one constituency and then thunder from the stage about wiping out gangsters in another. This blatant hypocrisy will not go unnoticed by the people of Punjab,” he said. Referring to the elections in Tarn Taran, the AAP Punjab Chief Spokesperson said that the Akali Dal had openly supported and sought votes linked to individuals with criminal backgrounds. “Today they claim they will demolish gangsters’ houses, but yesterday they were attending their family functions and fielding their relatives as candidates. Punjab remembers everything,” he stated. Drawing parallels with the tenure of Parkash Singh Badal, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that Sukhbir Singh Badal was walking the same path. “The Badal family has historically thrived on exploiting Punjab’s youth, first patronizing such elements for political gains and later shedding crocodile tears over law and order. The roots of organized gangsterism and the drug menace deepened during the SAD-BJP regime from 2007 to 2017,” he added. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal questioned the moral authority of Sukhbir Singh Badal to lecture the present government on crime. “The same people who allowed Punjab to bleed are now pretending to be its saviors. When drug mafias and criminal networks flourished, who was in power? The people of Punjab know the answer,” he said. Raising concerns about the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal asked why the Akali leadership had remained silent over questions raised by respected Sikh religious figures regarding missing Guru Granth Sahib saroops, land transactions, and financial mismanagement. “Instead of shouting from stages, answer the questions about 328 missing saroops, about land sales, and about the allegations linked to sacred institutions. Punjab deserves clarity and accountability,” he asserted. He further said that attempts to normalize such controversies insult the sentiments of the Sikh community. “How can daily scandals be treated as routine? This is not merely politics; this concerns faith and accountability. The community deserves transparency,” he added. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also pointed out that many traditional Akali families across regions from Majha to Malwa have distanced themselves from the party. “What remains today is not the Shiromani Akali Dal that once represented a mass movement, but a reduced outfit run by a ‘jija-sala’. The party has been reduced to inducting individuals with questionable records just to stay afloat,” he said. The AAP MLA further stated that Sukhbir Singh Badal had maintained selective silence on key national issues, including farmers’ concerns and the India-US trade deal, and lacked the courage to question the BJP leadership despite years of alliance and power-sharing at the Centre. Concluding his address, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the people of Punjab are politically mature and cannot be misled by dramatic speeches. “You cannot create fear, patronize criminal elements, and then promise to eradicate them. Punjab knows your character. Before making new announcements, answer for your past actions,” he said.
Jagrati Lahar is an English, Hindi and Punjabi language news paper as well as web portal. Since its launch, Jagrati Lahar has created a niche for itself for true and fast reporting among its readers in India.
Gautam Jalandhari (Editor)
RSS FEED