Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu questioned the Akali Dal (Badal) leadership over its links with people facing serious criminal cases, citing photographs of the Fazilka firing accused with Bikram Singh Majithia and the Badal family. He pointed out that the two accused had 23 cases registered against them and questioned the Akali leadership’s association with them, while recalling the record of the SAD-BJP government between 2007 and 2017 on gangsterism and drugs.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu referred to a recent firing incident in Fazilka in which a man travelling with a child was chased and fired upon. He stated, “An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered at Fazilka Sadar Police Station under Sections 109 and 3/5 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Arms Act.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge continued, “Two people, identified as Gurwinder Singh, son of Bachittar Singh, and Davinder Singh, both residents of Fazilka, have been named in the FIR. Gurwinder Singh has 17 previous cases registered against him, while Davinder Singh has six, including cases under the Arms Act.”
Displaying photographs of the identified people with Akali leaders, he questioned their links with the Badal family. He stated, “These photographs show the two accused with Bikram Singh Majithia, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal. They have family connections with the Akali leadership, and these links raise serious questions about their association with the Badal family. They have pictures with Badal family at different times and have even been to their house.”
Baltej Pannu called out the Akali Dal-BJP government for allowing gangsterism and drug-related activities to flourish between 2007 and 2017. Recalling the murder of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) who had intervened to protect his daughter, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge added, “The assailants celebrated over the victim’s body and raised slogans in support of a certain Akali leader. The Mand incident and the Rano Wala sarpanch controversy are also examples that raise questions about the Akali leadership’s association with people facing criminal allegations.”
Responding to opposition criticism over law and order, Baltej Pannu asserted, “Punjab’s security is in safe hands under the Bhagwant Mann government. The Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) recently held a press conference and presented comparative figures on the law-and-order situation in the state.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge called out opposition parties for ignoring the government’s work while repeatedly targeting the Chief Minister. He stated, “The Indian hockey team’s victory in an international tournament hosted in Punjab, the expansion of canal irrigation to nearly 88 per cent of agricultural land, improved access to daytime electricity for farmers and the revival of industrial activity are major achievements. Yet, the opposition refuses to acknowledge any of this work. They could have at least said something about the tournament which was a proud moment for Punjab”
“Why are Akali leaders unwilling to acknowledge the government’s achievements in sports, irrigation and agriculture? The successful hosting of an international hockey tournament in Punjab and the Indian team’s victory deserve appreciation, irrespective of political differences,” he asserted.
Baltej Pannu further pointed out that the previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments had promoted a culture of intimidation, political patronage and vested interests, which adversely affected Punjab’s industry. Referring to the industrial area of Gobindgarh, he stated, “The chimneys of Gobindgarh’s industrial units had fallen cold during the 2007–2017 period.”
Baltej Pannu said, “The opposition’s criticism reflects its inability to acknowledge the transformation in Punjab under the Bhagwant Mann government. Our government is focused on development, public welfare, agriculture and security, rather than the political interests that defined previous regimes.”
He added, “The government has ended several practices associated with previous regimes, including the diversion of canal water through makeshift pipelines, and has improved daytime electricity supply to farmers.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge asserted, “The people of Punjab have rejected the traditional parties after witnessing their record in government. The Akali leadership is unable to move beyond its theatrics against CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. We are confident that the Aam Aadmi Party will return to power in 2027.”
