Never sought support from Dera Sacha Sauda: Sukhbir Badal

On the Sirsa dera’s role in sacrilege incidents, Badal said, “If the dera’s involvement is there, they should be punished. How can I comment as no final judgment has come in the matter?”

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said the SAD never sought support from the Dera Sacha Sauda and they themselves supported the party in the past elections.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal (HT File)

He made this statement while talking to the media on the sidelines of a party workers’ meeting here.

On the Sirsa dera’s role in sacrilege incidents, Badal said, “If the dera’s involvement is there, they should be punished. How can I comment as no final judgment has come in the matter?”

Asked if the SAD will seek support from the Dera, he said, “The Akal Takht jathedar has given verdict against them and being a Sikh and Akali Dal chief, I abide by his orders.”

To another question, he said the sacrilege incidents of Guru Granth Sahib and Behbal Kalan police firing will not be the election issues. “People know that the Congress government has been indulging in a propaganda over these issues for the past two years to divert attention from its failure.”