SANGRUR: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today demanded the immediate arrest of former DGP Mohammad Mustafa for trying to incite communal clashes in Malerkotla with his incendiary statements.
Talking to mediamen after addressing a gathering at Malerkotla in favour of party candidate Nusrat Iqram Khan, the SAD President also urged the Election Commission to take note of the development and order the immediate arrest of Mustafa. “This is much needed to restore the confidence of the people in the democratic set up which has been vitiated by the officer who is the husband of Malerkotla mla and Congress minister Razia Sultana”.
Mr Sukhbir Badal said this was not the first time Mohammad Mustafa had vitiated the atmosphere in Malerkotla. “He is known to have registered hundreds of false cases against Akali workers.
He has also oppressed the poor and down trodden and created a fear psychosis in the minds of the people”. Mr Badal assured the people that the SAD knew how to handle such persons. “Mustafa will be proceeded against as per the law and will be held accountable for his misdeeds once the next SAD- BSP government is formed in the State”.
Mr Badal, who was accompanied by party district president Iqbal Singh Jhundan and senior leader Mohammad Owaisi, also assured to develop Malerkotla as a tourism destination by building on its heritage stature. He also announced a medical college would be established in the district as well as separate colleges for boys and girls. He also announced crematoriums would be established for both the Muslim and Christian community in the State.
The SAD President, who also addressed a press conference at Dhuri along with party candidate Prakash Chand Garg, said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had told Punjabis that it would give tickets to ordinary persons but had instead sold its tickets to the highest bidders. He disclosed how the AAP ticket had been sold in Mohali to property developer Kulwant Singh. “Similarly around fifty other tickets have been sold, mainly to people with criminal records. One of them includes a former Akali Amit Rattan who was thrown out of the SAD after people complained that he had duped them on the pretext of doubling their money”. He also lauded the services of Mr Prakash Chand Garg to the people at large and announced that once the SAD- BSP government was formed the senior leader would be inducted as a minister with an important portfolio.
Speaking about AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, the SAD President said the latter was never given any recognition in the party. “For one year Arvind Kejriwal kept telling Punjabis he was looking for the right face while sitting alongside Mann. Even now when Mann has been announced as the party’s chief ministerial candidate posters across Punjab are still demanding a chance for Kejriwal. This itself proves that Mann is only a dummy candidate”.
Mr Badal also lashed out at Bhagwant Mann for showing disrespect to the Sikh religion as well as his own mother. He said Mann had been publically denounced for being drunk in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. He said Mann had also sworn a false oath in the name of his mother that he would leave liquor but was found in an inebriated condition soon after. “Such an irresponsible person can never be trusted by Punjabis”, he added.
Mr Badal also received a rousing welcome during his tour of Sangrur constituency in favour of party candidate Winnerjit Singh Goldy. He lauded the youth leader for reenergising the SAD in the constituency in a short span and predicted his imminent victory. Mr Badal also condemned Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for rejecting pleas for the release of Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar thrice.