Delhi: In a show of strength, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal drew a comparison between the Muslims and Sikh population in India, as he launched a scathing attack on Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann during a meeting with Sikh groups in Delhi. 

In a meeting with Sikh groups in the national capital on Monday, December 25, former Punjab CM Sukhbir Singh Badal called on the Sikh community to be united ahead of the elections. Emphasising on the political benefits of being united, Badal drew a comparison with Muslim community, suggesting that despite being less in numbers Sikhs have political representation and influence as they are 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,” said SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party, Shiromani Akali Dal, will establish party units in all the states, announced Badal. 

Mann not a Sikh, says Badal 

Sukhbir Singh Badal in a scathing attack on Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that he doesn’t consider Mann a “Sikh”. 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.

"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.”

(With agency inputs)