As the near-century-old party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, battles internal crisis after its senior/old (Taksali) leaders recently revolted against party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Punjab Chief Minister and Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal has defended his son, saying Mr. Sukhbir had offered to resign after the party’s defeat in the 2017 Assembly polls.
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The Shiromani Akali Dal has seen a revolt by a few senior leaders, who allege that the party has been “hijacked” by the “Badal family” and its ideology compromised. How do you react?
I have always held them [Taksali leaders] in high esteem and still do. As for their complaints, I really don’t know what they mean by the “Badal family” because they still publicly declare that they want me to head the party, and I am the head of the Badal family. As for Mr. Sukhbir, they elected him as the party president, he was not appointed by me. In fact, his name was proposed by Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahampura, the leader of the breakaway faction. So what can I say?
The Akali Dal senior leadership, including you, your son Sukhbir and daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur Badal, recently sought atonement for “mistakes that might have been committed during your (SAD-BJP) rule” at the Akal Takht. What were these mistakes?
In Sikh religion, which guides the philosophy of the SAD, the relationship between the Guru and the Sikh is a direct one. When we atoned for our “mistakes”, we atoned for all the mistakes which the ‘Sangat’ (the people) may have deemed us guilty of. In our religion, the ‘Sangat’ enjoys the status of the Guru. In fact, even superior.
Do you regret the handling of issues such as the pardon granted to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a blasphemy case and the Kotkapura-Behbal Kalan police firing incidents of 2015, which followed the Bargari sacrilege?
That issue was handled by the honourable Jathedar Sahib of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. No Sikh who believes in the tenets of his religion can comment on the decisions taken by the Takht Sahib.
Do you think the revolt in the party could have been averted had Mr. Sukhbir resigned?
At the first meeting of the party after the defeat in the 2017 Assembly elections, Mr. Sukhbir had not only offered his resignation but also insisted that it should be accepted and someone else should lead the party. I did not intervene at all. These same leaders had rejected his resignation offer then. Nothing has changed since then. They know how a president is appointed or changed and they are free to follow that course.
How do you assess the current Congress government’s work in Punjab so far?
You can ask the people. Have they fulfilled any of the promises they made? Have they even discharged the basic duty of a government? This government is not only a failure, in fact this government simply does not exist. People don’t know where to go to get their grievances redressed. The Chief Minister is unavailable even to his own partymen. So what should I say? You make your own independent assessment and tell me if I am wrong. I will correct myself.
What’s your reaction to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s stand on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor regarding security concerns while dealing with Pakistan?
He [Capt. Amarinder Singh] must not do anything that sabotages this achievement. Unfortunately, his stand is ‘neither here nor there’. And this is dictated by his intra-party insecurities. He should take the lead as he is the Chief Minister. At the moment, it does not appear that he is honest about implementing the corridor. The Government of India has taken the initiative and that has forced Pakistan to respond. Captain Sahib should ignore immature people in his party and his Cabinet who credit Pakistan for this achievement. He should implement the corridor as India’s achievement. Unfortunately, he looks so confused. I hope he clears his thoughts on the issue.
You are in alliance with the BJP, but the Akali Dal has said that it would contest the Parliamentary/State Assembly elections in Haryana independently. Is it ethical to have a pre-poll alliance with the BJP, a ministerial berth in the Union Government and then fighting against the same party in other State/States?
In Punjab, our alliance is not a political one. It is a guarantee for social and communal harmony. In other States and at the Centre, we follow a common minimum programme. The alliance in Punjab was a historical necessity considering the challenges to Hindu-Sikh unity and harmony. I think we served and are serving a great cause.
What is your advice to the BJP, after the results of the Assembly elections held in five States recently?
Ups and downs happen in life. I am sure there are much wiser people in the BJP than me to find out what needs to be improved.
