The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday staged protests in Faridkot and Moga districts, condemning the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for its alleged failure to tackle the escalating power crisis. Party workers gathered at key locations, holding placards and raising slogans against the state administration.
Allegations of Negligence
Addressing the protesters, SAD leaders accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of neglecting the agricultural and industrial sectors, which are reeling under severe power shortages. They claimed that unscheduled power cuts have become rampant, disrupting farming operations and industrial production.
Impact on Farmers and Industry
Farmers in the region expressed distress over frequent outages during critical irrigation periods, while small-scale industrial units reported production losses. The SAD demanded immediate measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and criticized the government's energy policies as "failed."
Political Reactions
The protests come amid rising political tensions in Punjab, with the opposition accusing the AAP of breaking its pre-election promises. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a statement, said the power crisis is a direct result of the government's incompetence and urged the chief minister to take responsibility.
Government's Response
The ruling AAP, however, dismissed the allegations, stating that the power situation is under control and improvements are being made. A government spokesperson highlighted new power purchase agreements and infrastructure upgrades to meet demand.
The SAD has announced further protests across the state if their demands are not met, vowing to intensify the agitation against the "anti-people" policies of the AAP government.
