'BJP Stooges Trying To Break Akali Dal, Want To Replicate Maharashtra In Punjab': SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Amid growing discontent in Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) against party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has attacked former ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The entire Akali Dal is united and is standing strongly with Sukhbir ji. Some BJP stooges and the Centre are trying to break Akali Dal and conspiring. They are trying to do in Punjab what they did in Maharashtra," Harsimrat said.

She claimed that only five leaders are opposing Sukhbir Badal, while the remaining 112 are in his support. Of these five, a relative of one contested the Lok Sabha elections on BJP ticket, she claimed.

However, the number of leaders seeking Sukhbir Badal's removal from party president post is greater than what Harsimrat claimed and they even launched the Akali Dal Bachao Lehar.

A meeting held by this rebel faction witnessed the participation of former Punjab Ministers Sikandar Maluka and Surjit Rakhra and former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Jagir Kaur.

Prem Singh Chandumajra, Kiranjot Kaur, Manjit Singh, Surinder Bhullewal, Gurpartap Wadala, Charanjit Brar, Harinder Pal Tohra and Gaganjit Barnala were other leaders who attended this meeting.

The demand for leadership change comes after the party could win only one seat in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. The rebel faction is set to go to Akal Takht on 1 July before starting their campaign.

"The descendants of Master Tara Singh and other esteemed families, integral to the party's foundation. They are with us and these families should not be termed as anti-Akali by Sukhbir Badal on the advice of some people," Chandumajra said.