The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal sharply criticised MP Amritpal Singh and his Akaali Dal (Waris Punjab De) at a 'Punjab Bachao' rally in Malout, Muktsar, his first major rally after an attack on him in Nanded on August 13.
- He questioned Amritpal's background, alleged his family's past Congress links, accused him of using Guru Granth Sahib as a shield during the 2023 Ajnala incident, and claimed Waris Punjab De wants only Amritpal's release rather than that of other Sikh detainees.
- Amritpal's parents rejected the allegations, with his father accusing Badal of attacking Amritpal out of panic and his mother citing past sacrilege cases under Akali rule.
- With Punjab assembly elections months away, the report notes both parties claim to be panthic, and analysts say Badal appears to be signalling his party is moderate and distinct from the radical camp, though winning back traditional voters may not be easy.
What to watch next
- Whether Waris Punjab De or Amritpal Singh's family respond further or escalate the exchange ahead of the polls
- How the rivalry between the two panthic parties plays out in the run-up to the Punjab assembly elections
- Whether Sukhbir Badal continues targeting Amritpal at rallies while staying silent on the BJP, as the report notes
Coverage1
1 report
Indian-language1
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Named India · Aam Aadmi Party · Akaali Dal (Waris Punjab) · Amritpal Singh · Congress · Harpreet Singh · Balvinder Kaur · Bharatiya Janata Party · Mohammad Khalid · Ramt Ram Rahim · Shiromani Akali Dal · Sukhbir Singh · Sukhbir Singh Badal
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