Farmers Movement Archive

Cadres upbeat but farmers angry, Sukhbir faces ground reality on Day 1

Shiromani Akali Dal activists were upbeat in Zira assembly segment at the launch of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal’s 100-day yatra programme, which turned out to be a well-attended event on Wednesday. Even on a sultry day, impressive gatherings were spotted at the election meetings in the predominantly rural segment. The former deputy chief minister visited about 12 places in Zira, a part of Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat. Badal’s day began at around 9.30am as he left Ferozepur city to meet near Zira a group of motorbike-riding youths, who escorted him to Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Zira. The venue of most of the meetings addressed by Sukhbir was gurdwaras even as no political sloganeering was noticed at the shrines. Covid-19 guidelines of maintaining social distancing and wearing face covers were grossly violated at the events. Sukhdev Singh Sheera, the state secretary of the SAD’s new ally — Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) — was also present at the launch of the Akalis’ electoral activity. On the way to Zira, a group of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) raised slogans against the Akali leadership for the party’s alleged initial support to the contentious central farm laws. The SKM activists had also removed party’s publicity hoardings put on the Amritsar-Bathinda highway. Badal’s speeches focused on promises already announced by the SAD-BSP alliance, underlining thrust to the education and medical care. He was accompanied by veteran Akali leader and the party nominee from Zira segment Janmeja Singh Sekhon. Badal, who represents Ferozepur Lok Sabha segment, also assured development of the area if SAD-BSP is voted to power in the 2022 elections. “Sekhon sa’ab has a deep understanding of the rural issues and for the last 20 years, he had been urging the SAD to field him from Zira. If voted to power, he will be given charge of the irrigation ministry. Sekhon got a ministerial berth in every Akali government in the last over three decades,” said Badal, while trying to strike a chord with the Akali sympathisers. Trying to undermine Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Badal said Punjab has only three main parties: SAD, its new electoral ally the BSP, and the Congress. “Like the Congress, the AAP is driven by its Delhi-based leadership whereas SAD represents the spirit of Panth and Punjab. Punjab does not need a high command in Delhi,” he added. He gave a call to teach a lesson to the Congress’s Zira legislator Kulbir Singh Zira. “Besides supporting mafia, the MLA (Kulbir Zira) was instrumental in implicating his political opponents in criminal cases. On assuming power, our government will initiate action against him,” he said amid loud applause at the gurdwara in adjoining Makhu village. The gatherings inside the gurdwaras comprised elderly and middle-aged men and women while the youths stayed outside the shrines. A large number of police personnel in uniform and civvies were also deployed. Police didn’t allow any black piece of cloth inside the gurdwaras. Most streets leading to the political meetings were barricaded and entry of the vehicles was barred. On Thursday, Sukhbir will tour the Guru Harsahai segment in Ferozepur district.

Hindustan Times

19-08-2021

Chandigarh