Factionalism in Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was on full display in the presence of (SAD) chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during the party’s conference on the occasion of Shaheedi Jor Mela here on Tuesday.
As things unfolded, Sukhbir in his speech went on to acknowledge that there was “factionalism” within the party. “The factionalism in Akali leaders helps Congress gain in the process,” he said.
SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra and Sirhind MLA Didar Singh Bhatti in their speeches made veiled attacks on each other in a bid to project themselves as prospective SAD candidate for the newly-carved Fatehgarh Sahib constituency.
While Chandumajra portrayed self as a “loyal soldier” of the party, who he said if asked was ready to fight from anywhere party asked him to, Bhatti in his address was equally vocal and said if party “pitted him even against (US President) Barack Obama”, he would inflict a crushing defeat on Obama
Chandumajra said that it was on the directions of the party that he went on to fight against Preneet Kaur (in the Lok Sabha polls) and against Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from Lehra Gaga, where he said he lost by a narrow margin of 248 votes. “Fatehgarh Sahib is the area where I spent my childhood and I relate to it closely,” Chandumajra said, putting forward his case for his candidature from the constituency.
On the other hand, Bhatti said that his authority was being challenged in the area even as he worked tirelessly for the party. “It is like letting big brother encroach upon the land and house of younger brother on the pretext that the younger one does not know how to do farming,” Bhatti said, addressing Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal, as both were seen visibly perturbed over these remarks.
News Source: Indian Express
