Shiromani Akali Dal contradicting its cause of federalism with farm ordinances: Jakhar

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Thursday alleged that the credibility of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was at its lowest ebb on issues concerning the farmers in wake of the opposition party’s stand in support of Centre’s farm ordinances.
Jakhar said where people in the state see SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal more as a businessman than a farmer-friendly politician, the party’s patron and former CM Parkash Singh Badal has gone against the stand for federal structure that he championed throughout his life.
“Badal senior is refusing to see the writing on the wall. Every farmer knows that the ordinances will reduce them to mere labourers. But he has turned a blind eye to the reality just to ensure that the family’s sole cabinet berth at the Centre continues,” he said.
“Parkash Badal fought for more powers to the state throughout his life but now he is taking a contrary stand by supporting the ordinances. I only want to ask him if it was within the domain of the Centre to take a decision concerning Punjab’s agriculture through the ordinances. Is he willing to let go of his lifelong legacy to strengthen the federal structure? Instead of getting into the nitty-gritty of the ordinances, he should answer this fundamental question,” he said.
He said the Punjab assembly has passed a resolution to reject the farm ordinances last week. Earlier, Jakhar and Sukhbir had taken on each other on the issue at the all-party meeting convened by chief minister Amarinder Singh.