Sukhbir Badal blames Kejriwal for police actions in Punjab

Chandigarh: Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has accused Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), of being responsible for police actions against protesting farmers. In a statement, he claimed that Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is only a figurehead and that Kejriwal is the one truly in control. Badal criticized the AAP government for its treatment of farmers. He noted that this is the first time in the state's history that farmer leaders, who were invited for talks, ended up facing police violence. He urged party members to support the farmers and to resist any attempts by the AAP government to suppress their movement. He further claimed that the current government, like the previous one led by Capt Amarinder Singh, is failing to deliver on its promises to the people of Punjab. According to Badal, the AAP has let down various groups in society, including farmers, women, and the youth. At a press conference, SAD leaders Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler echoed Badal's sentiments. They called on Chief Minister Mann to fulfill promises made regarding minimum support prices for farmers and expressed their concern over the handling of police brutality incidents. They demanded accountability for police officers involved in recent assaults on a farmer and his son.