Congress, AAP in Cahoots; BJP is the New Congress in Punjab: Harsimrat Badal

Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticized the Congress and AAP as being indistinguishable, while accusing the BJP of becoming the "new Congress" in Punjab. She asserted the SAD's commitment to principles and prioritizing farmers and the poor, vowing not to abandon their cause. Badal also highlighted the neglect faced by Bathinda constituency, where she received complaints from residents regarding deteriorating civic amenities during both Congress and AAP rule.

Congress, AAP Colluding; BJP a New Congress in Punjab: Harsimrat Badal

Bathinda, Punjab, India 31st March, 2024 - Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament for Bathinda, Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, has denounced the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as "two sides of the same coin," while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of becoming the "new Congress" in Punjab. She asserted that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) stands alone as the party contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections on principles.

Mrs. Badal's remarks came during a series of events held in Bathinda, where a significant number of Congress workers defected to the SAD. She lambasted the Congress and AAP for "holding joint protests in Delhi while attempting to deceive Punjabis by posturing as rivals."

Casting aspersions on the BJP's moral compass, the Bathinda MP declared, "The BJP has become the new Congress in Punjab by importing Congressmen into its ranks and distributing tickets for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This is nothing but a desperate attempt to seize power by any means necessary."

"Punjabis will not fall for this manipulative game," asserted Mrs. Badal. "The SAD remains steadfast in its principles. We are prepared to sacrifice power, but we will never compromise our values. We stand with the farmers and the poor; we are not chasing positions or titles. We will continue to advocate for their interests and fight for justice."

She emphasized that the SAD will relentlessly champion the aspirations of Punjabis and will not compromise on the state's legitimate demands.

Mrs. Badal also highlighted the neglect that Bathinda and its constituency have endured during the past seven years under both Congress and AAP rule. She pointed out that neither party had secured a single major project for the city during this period.

During her visit, numerous residents, particularly women, approached Mrs. Badal to lament the deterioration of civic amenities. They complained of dilapidated streets, non-functional streetlights, and inadequate stormwater and sewage systems, which had led to widespread flooding during the monsoon season.