Punjab: In a controversial statement, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday expressed his disapproval of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, going as far as to say, "I do not consider him a Sikh. He wears a turban to show that he is a Sikh. He does not know the history of Sikhs. We feel sad when we see him and hear his statements. They (AAP) are looting Punjab, and Arvind Kejriwal is the CM of Punjab today, not Bhagwant Mann.”

Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Minister in question and a prominent figure in the Aam Aadmi Party, has yet to respond to these provocative comments. The assertion that Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister, is the de facto CM of Punjab, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing political dynamics in the region.

Sukhbir Singh Badal accuses AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal 

Sukhbir Singh Badal further accused AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal of running the Punjab government instead of Mann, saying the Delhi CM was also the CM of the border state.

Badal later appealed to the Sikh population to remain united.

"The population of Muslims in the country is about 18% but they have no leadership because they are not united... We are 2% but we are united under Sri Akal Takht Sahib. I appeal to all of you not to be divided and remain united...Shiromani Akali Dal will establish party units in all the states.," he said.