Sep 13, 2011, - Jamsher (Jalandhar)/Kapurthala: What has kabaddi got to do with the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections, popularly known as the mini parliament of Sikhs?
For Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the World Cup Kabaddi that he organized earlier this year, seems to be an issue in this purely religious polls.
He spoke on the "success of the tournament" at a rally here on Monday to campaign for the September 18 SGPC polls, along with a string of government schemes and "achievements" like new thermal plants and 'atta-dal' scheme even as burning issues like Sikh identity, increasing apostasy in religion and confusion of Sehajdharis continue to face the Sikh community.
His speech also featured the Right to Service Act, power generation, Shagun scheme, move to distribute cycles to high school girls and gymnasia in villages.
This comes at a time when political pundits are pointing out how campaigning for SGPC polls is increasingly becoming a fight for the Assembly elections scheduled for next year. Sukhbir Badal also lashed out at PPCC chief Captain Amarinder Singh and PPP chief and his cousin Manpreet Badal.
"Let Captain name a single achievement of his government. There is all around development in Punjab under Parkash Singh Badal. As for PPP, it is now reduced to nothing as all its leaders are joining SAD," said Sukhbir Badal. He also castigated the Congress for being "anti-Sikh' while recalling Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh riots. There was little mention of the "Panthic agenda" released by his party, Shiromani Akali Dal for SGPC election.