SAD RALLY TARGETS MANN GOVERNMENT AMID RELIGIOUS ROW

Akali Dal intensifies campaign as granthi allegations spark controversy.

- TARUNI GANDHI

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. File Photo

The Shiromani Akali Dal stepped up its political campaign last week with a major rally led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, where he launched a direct attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over law and order, water rights and what he termed administrative collapse.

Addressing party workers and supporters at Qadian, Badal accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to control rising crime and alleged that Punjab's interests were being compromised under pressure from Delhi. He reiterated that an SAD government would not allow Punjab’s river waters to flow to other states and promised stricter anti-drug measures, including property seizure of traffickers and tougher bail provisions for organised crime.