Chandigarh : Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has made a big announcement regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After a day-long meeting with party leaders, district party presidents and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members to discuss candidates for the state parliamentary seat, Badal announced that he would not contest the Lok Sabha polls. Sukhbir Singh Badal has revealed this in response to the question asked by the journalists.
On the other hand, Shiromani Akali Dal has not announced the name of any candidate yet. Regarding this, Badal said that the names of possible candidates are being discussed. He said that the names of the candidates will be announced after the completion of the consultation process. The Shiromani Akali Dal is fighting the Lok Sabha elections alone in Punjab as the party could not form an alliance with the BJP. Polling will be held on June 1 in the last phase of the seven-phase general elections for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.
The Shiromani Akali Dal severed ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September 2020 over the now repealed agriculture laws. The two parties formed an alliance in 1996 and continued to contest elections together. In 2019, they won two Lok Sabha seats each in Punjab.
Earlier on March 27, Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the people to support his regional party, which is contesting the Lok Sabha elections on principles, to protect the interests of Punjab.
The Akali Dal president made this appeal while visiting Mansa and Budhlada assembly constituencies under ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’. Member of Parliament from Bathinda Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also with him. Sukhbir Badal said that we are fighting against Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party who have no agenda for Punjab. He said, only Akali Dal can protect your rights.
It may be mentioned that in the past some of the leaders who left the party after getting angry have returned home. With which Shiromani Akali Dal has got more strength. In the last Lok Sabha elections, Sukhbir Badal contested and won from Ferozepur.