Chandigarh, August 12

The SAD (Sanyukt) led by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and the Azad Samaj Party led by Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad today announced a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab.

The SAD (Kirti), HD Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal (Secular) and Indian Union Muslim League (Banatwala) have also joined the alliance.

At a press conference, Dhindsa called it a step in the direction of forming a third front in the state. He alleged the Badal family had “done a lot of harm” to the community, so it was the need of the hour to build a “genuine” Akali Dal, which has a history of sacrifices. He said the alliance would replace the “Badal family-owned” Akali Dal. With the formation of the front, they had shown the roadmap for development, said Dhindsa. “The alliance will work towards ensuring right to dignified livelihood to the oppressed,” said Azad. — TNS