Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized Sukhbir Singh Badal, the leader of SAD, for planning to campaign against the candidate who received the party's symbol for the July 10 Jalandhar West assembly bypoll. This comes after Shiromani Akali Dal announced its support for the BSP nominee over their own candidate, selected by a panel that now has two members who have rebelled against Badal.
The SAD cannot replace its chosen candidate as the deadline for such changes has passed. Mann condemned the internal strife within SAD, stating that the party is lacking in principles and its leaders are solely focused on personal political gains.
He emphasized that Badal will not support the candidate representing Akali Dal in the upcoming bypoll, indicating the party's unstable situation. Mann predicted that the people will hold these leaders accountable for their actions during the bypoll.
In addition, a group of senior SAD members have demanded Badal's resignation as party chief following the party's poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. The bypoll in Jalandhar West was triggered by the resignation of Sheetal Angural, an AAP legislator.
