The political battle in Punjab has intensified over an audio recording allegedly linked to Amardeep Singh and questions surrounding Guri Chahal’s travel abroad. The Shiromani Akali Dal has been raising questions over the matter and has sought clarity regarding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his family members.
As part of its campaign, an SAD delegation led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought an investigation into the issue.
Soon after the meeting, Aam Aadmi Party leader Baltej Pannu addressed a press conference and released eight photographs, using them to question the political links of people associated with the controversy.
Among the photographs were images purportedly showing Amardeep Singh Grewal with senior BJP leader JP Nadda, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Nadda’s election campaign and Ravneet Singh Bittu.
Pannu used the photographs to question the political connections of those whose names have surfaced in the controversy.
Pannu also released photographs purportedly showing Guri Chahal with Bikram Singh Majithia, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal. Another photograph involving Hundal was also displayed during the press conference.
Pannu alleged that a conspiracy is being orchestrated against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, claiming that the people involved in what he described as the conspiracy are known to the public.
Taking a direct swipe at the Akali leadership, Pannu questioned the presence of people allegedly connected to the controversy alongside Akali leaders.
He argued that the same individuals over whom questions are being raised were allegedly seen standing with the Akali leadership and appearing in photographs with them.
According to Pannu, this raises questions about whether political connections are being used to target the Mann family while presenting the opposition as completely uninvolved in the matter.
Pannu also turned the spotlight towards the previous SAD-BJP government, referring to the period from 2007 to 2017.
He alleged that Punjab witnessed the growth of gangster networks during that period and accused the then government of allowing criminals and smugglers to operate with political protection. He further made allegations regarding kidnappings and the expansion of the drug trade.
Pannu's remarks mark another escalation in the ongoing political confrontation, with AAP and SAD trading allegations and counter-allegations over the audio recording, alleged political links and the wider controversy.
While the Akali Dal is demanding an investigation, the AAP has responded by questioning the political connections of those linked to the allegations. The controversy now appears set to become another major flashpoint in Punjab politics.
