Chandigarh/ 26 March – Shiromani Akali Dal president  Sukhbir Singh Badal said here today that his party “ is not a numbers-driven organisation but a movement committed to a clear vision about Punjab and the Khalsa Panth. Our core committee had already stated firmly that for SAD, principles are always above politics.”

Rejecting Opportunistic Politics

    “ For us, numbers are far, far below our ideals and objectives as we have never believed in the politics of opportunism. During the Emergency, our party stalwart Parkash Singh Badal rejected the offer of Chief Minister ship in exchange for silence against  Indira Gandhi and her draconian laws.. Instead, he spurned the offer and led the first Jatha in the Morcha against Emergency. For this, he chose to suffer long stints in dark prison cells. That approach defines and will continue to define SAD, “ said  Badal in a statement here.

The SAD chief further said that seats or berths or their numbers are far below the interests of the Khalsa Panth and Punjab. “In its meeting a couple of days ago, the SAD Core Committee clearly stated that, unlike some national parties run from Delhi, SAD is a strongly regional party rooted in Punjab and driven by Panthic ideals. We are committed to Sarbat da bhala.”

SAD treats the interests of  Punjab  and Punjabis

Badal said that unlike others, SAD treats the interests of  Punjab  and Punjabis in general and of the Sikhs  in particular as our highest moral responsibility. We operate not from Delhi but from the farms and lanes and bylanes of Punjab. Accordingly, we are proud of our regional character. Punjab  comes ahead of political calculations. We have to live and die here, unlike others. “

SAD is “not just a political party but a 103 year-old movement

He said that SAD is “not just a political party but a 103 year-old movement  with a clear vision and we have always pursued that vision with total commitment . That will continue to be our goal. “

  The Akali president further said that his party is the largest democratic representative  organisation of farmers and have always led the fight for the farmers’ rights from the front and introduced historic measures in govt for their welfare.”We belong to the farms, the fields and the soil of Punjab. We will continue to fight for justice to farmers.