Are Akali Dal and BJP Forming a Desperate Alliance to Regain Power?

Chandigarh, July 22 (NationPress) Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema criticized the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP on Tuesday, accusing them of a desperate conspiracy to regain control in the state through an unprincipled alliance. This comes despite their track record of betrayal and harm to the youth, economy, and social structure.

Cheema addressed the press, stating, “For a long time, leaders from the BJP and Akali Dal have been anxious and eager to regain their power in Punjab. Their daily statements reflect a desire to rekindle old ties. While the SAD chief denies any alliance, BJP national figures claim they will run independently in Punjab.”

“I want to remind everyone of the dark history that marked their governance, filled with suffering for Punjab,” he added.

The AAP leader held both factions accountable for the widespread drug crisis that devastated the state's youth.

“It was during the SAD-BJP alliance's rule that drugs were intentionally introduced into Punjab to destroy an entire generation. This was a joint conspiracy by the SAD and BJP against Punjab’s youth. They fostered a culture of gangsters. Under their rule, safety for women was compromised; crimes against them were rampant, and those defending them were silenced. This is the true legacy of the SAD-BJP administration,” he stated.

He emphasized that every child in Punjab understands how these two parties facilitated the drug trade and contributed to a gangster culture.

“Even now, Punjab remembers everything. The entire nation is aware that it was the BJP that introduced the three controversial farm laws. Punjab, a state that nourishes the nation, suffered while the BJP, in coalition with SAD, chose to ruin the youth and its future,” Cheema remarked.

Reflecting on the historic farmers' protests, Cheema noted, “It was under their governance that those oppressive laws were enacted. Farmers rose against them, and facing public outcry, the SAD severed ties with the BJP, claiming they would never partner again due to the BJP's assault on farmers.”

“More than 375 farmers lost their lives during the protests against those laws. The entire nation recalls this. Now, I find it perplexing how they can speak so shamelessly about a new alliance?”

Cheema also reminded citizens of the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib that occurred during SAD’s rule.

“Punjab will not forget the sacrilege that occurred in 1986 under SAD's governance. Again, in 2015-16, sacrilege transpired when SAD was in power. As long as they governed Punjab, drugs continued to infiltrate the state. It was during that period that families began sending their children abroad to protect them, as Punjab fell under the rule of looters, a government committed to its ruin.”