CHANDIGARH, May 1 — Baltej Pannu, the media head for the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, stated Thursday that the Shiromani Akali Dal has been exposed for maintaining deep connections with criminal networks. The AAP leader claimed that while the Akali Dal publicly critiques the government on peace and security, it simultaneously promotes the families of notorious gangsters to positions of authority.
Pannu asserted that the appointment of a gangster’s wife to a leadership role within a constituency demonstrates a significant political compromise. He noted that such actions constitute a betrayal of the citizens of Punjab, who expect political parties to uphold the rule of law.
“Does the Akali Dal have such a shortage of honest workers that it now has to rely on the families of gangsters to run the party?” Pannu asked during his address. He stated that the party’s priorities appear to favor anti-social elements over the interests of the general public.
The AAP leader also drew attention to the legal representation of Goldy Brar’s family in an extortion case. He pointed out that an Akali Dal-affiliated attorney appeared in court for the family, even after their petition was dismissed by the High Court. Pannu stated that this legal support serves as a shield for those involved in criminal activities.
“Inducting criminals into the party, appointing them as constituency in-charges, and defending their cases clearly proves that while the Akali Dal wears a political cloak, its sympathies lie with anti-social elements,” Pannu declared. He affirmed that the contradiction between the party’s speeches and its on-ground actions is now fully visible to the voters of the state.
