Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s failure to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing case has triggered a fresh political slugfest between the Punajb’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the SAD in Punjab.
The Akali Dal, however, has rejected the political narrative being built around Badal’s absence and questioned the timing of the summons. He also questioned the timing of the summons, linking it to several controversies currently confronting the AAP government. Kler alleged that whenever the government comes under pressure from the Opposition, attempts are made to shift the political narrative. He cited allegations of corruption linked to the Chief Minister’s Office, allegations concerning the Chief Minister’s wife and a rape case, and the continuing controversy over Punjab’s drug crisis. He also referred to the recent death of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur after he had raised questions over the drug menace, as well as allegations of police torture involving Mohanjeet Singh after he questioned the prevailing drug situation.
Kler said the party had submitted a written request to the SIT asking it to provide a questionnaire so that people of Punjab could know what exactly the investigating team wanted to question Sukhbir Badal about.
The confrontation began after Sukhbir Badal, who had said a day earlier that he was not afraid of facing the SIT, did not appear before the investigating team on the scheduled date. The AAP seized on his absence to question his willingness to cooperate with the investigation, and alleged that the development reflected a “behind-the-scenes alliance” between the BJP and the Badals. AAP leader Anurag Dhanda launched a sharp attack on the SAD chief, saying the then SAD-BJP government was responsible for firing on the protesting sangat and said the “legal account” of Sukhbir Badal’s alleged actions was still pending. Dhanda then said “jail is not far”. SAD chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said Sukhbir Badal had already appeared before the Behbal Kalan SIT three times and accused the government of deliberately creating a narrative that he was not cooperating with the investigation.
Political Pressure Mounts Amid Controversies
The government is facing significant political pressure as controversies unfold, according to Kler. Recent developments, including the latest summons of Sukhbir Badal, appear to be a strategic move to shift public attention away from these issues.
