By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has failed to sell its development agenda to Non-resident Indians of Punjabi origin living in USA and Canada. SAD's attempt to woo the NRIs to support itr seems to have boomranged and further damaged the already sagging image of the Punjab Government led by Parkash Singh Badal. It was idea of SAD President and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal to send party delegations to North America to win over NRIs support who play significance role in Punjab elections.
The SAD idea has misrable flopped and the Akali ministers particularly the NRI affairs minister Tota Singh were hooted and not allowed to address meetings at many places. A shoe was also hurled on Tota Singh at Toronto where Sikhs hold high strength. The SAD had taken the decision to dispatch its leaders with an eye of assembly elections of 2017 as it is fearing that during last Lok Sabha elections NRIs had supported AAP which managed to get four seats in Parliament. NRIs are annoyed with the Punjab Government particularly with Badal family for giving them false promises and hopes on protecting their properties in Punjab. High rise is reported in the cases of NRI land and house grabbing in the state. An organised mafia is operating in Punjab under alleged protection of politcians and police officers. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal holds the charge of home department and he has failed to control the grabbing incidents.
The impact of NRIs anger against Punjab ministers is more seen on social media where videos and pictrures of Akali leaders shown black flags and slogan shouting against them are being uploaded. These incidents have also dented the image of SAD-BJP government in the state where people are already fed up with the rising crime, mafia culture, corruption and VIP culture.
At international level too the image of Akali Dal has got a beating with the Canada's defence minister Josan Kerry giving a warning to Akali Dal leaders not to vitiate the atmosphere of peaceful country like Canada.He has advised Akali leaders to go back and pay attention to improve things in Punjab. He has also spoken to Sukhbir Singh Badal and advised against sending his delegations to their country. The tour of SAD delegations had created tension in Canada and Punjabi community was particularly perturbed over the situation in Punjab.