AAP slams Sukhbir Badal for ‘double-faced politics’, alleges hypocrisy on gangsterism and religious issues
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab, February 22, 2026): Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Chief Spokesperson and MLA, on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, accusing him of indulging in “double-faced politics” and attempting to mislead the people of Punjab with what he termed as recycled rhetoric and contradictory claims.
Addressing a press conference in Amritsar, Dhaliwal alleged that Sukhbir Badal was following the political path of his father, Parkash Singh Badal, marked by hypocrisy, fear-mongering and self-serving politics.
Dhaliwal said that before making tall claims about eliminating gangsterism, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader must answer questions about his own party’s record. He alleged that SAD had fielded relatives of known gangsters as candidates in certain constituencies while simultaneously promising to wipe out criminal networks.
“You cannot support individuals with criminal backgrounds in one constituency and then speak about eradicating gangsterism in another. The people of Punjab see through this hypocrisy,” he said.
Referring to the Tarn Taran elections, Dhaliwal claimed that the Akali Dal had sought support from individuals linked to criminal backgrounds, adding that Punjab has not forgotten these actions.
Drawing parallels with the 2007–2017 SAD-BJP regime, Dhaliwal alleged that organized gangsterism and the drug menace deepened during that period. He questioned the moral authority of Sukhbir Badal to criticize the present government on issues of law and order.
“When drug mafias and criminal networks flourished, who was in power? The people of Punjab know the answer,” he remarked.
Raising concerns about the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Dhaliwal questioned the Akali leadership’s silence over allegations regarding 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, land transactions and financial irregularities.
He also referred to controversies surrounding the Sauda Sadh pardon and beadbi incidents, stating that such issues concern faith and accountability and cannot be dismissed as routine political matters. “Punjab deserves clarity and transparency on these serious concerns,” he asserted.
Dhaliwal further claimed that several traditional Akali families from Majha to Malwa have distanced themselves from the party, alleging that the current SAD leadership has reduced the party’s stature.
He also criticized Sukhbir Badal for what he termed as selective silence on national issues, including farmers’ concerns and the India-US trade deal, despite years of alliance with the BJP at the Centre.
Concluding his address, Dhaliwal said that Punjab’s electorate is politically aware and cannot be swayed by dramatic speeches. “You cannot patronize criminal elements and later promise to eliminate them. Before making fresh announcements, answer for your past actions,” he said.