Amritsar (Punjab), Dec 14 (PTI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)president Sukhbir Singh Badal said today that the party would"not tolerate persecution" of its workers and fight againstthe "arrogant" Congress government.
Addressing a large gathering on the 97th Foundation Dayof the party here, Badal said a party office would be set upin Amritsar.
Former chief minister and party patron Parkash SinghBadal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)president Gobind Singh Longowal, Akal Takht Jathedar GianiGurbachan Singh and senior SAD leaders also addressed thegathering.
Former chief minister Badal said the party was formed tofight injustice and that it would continue on its path.
"We have always been safeguarding personal freedom andliberty and will continue to do this," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Sukhbir Singh Badal said theparty had fought for its state capital, Punjabi-speaking areasand river waters.
"Even now, I am committed to leading any agitation fromthe front and will not allow repression against a single Akaliworker," he said.
"I will lead the fight against the arrogant Congressgovt. I warn the govt we will not tolerate persecution of anyAkali worker," he later tweeted.
Stating that the SAD was the oldest party in the countryfounded by Indians, he told the gathering, "The Congress whichwas older was founded by an Englishman, Allan Octavian Hume."He said that the party reached the stage because of thesacrifices made by its workers.
The SAD president also gave the example of Parkash SinghBadal who, he said, had spent sixteen years in jail. He saidthat Parkash Singh Badal also had the privilege of serving asthe chief minister for 19 years.
"All development you see in Punjab be it airports, dam,thermal plants or four-lane roads, were built during histenure. Badal Sahab is also responsible for introducing oldage pension, Shagun scheme and Atta Dal scheme. In directcontrast, the Congress government cannot lay claim to even oneachievement or introduction of any social welfare scheme,"Sukhbir Singh Badal said.
He announced that the party would establish a museum atits head office in Chandigarh and asked partymen to contributeold photographs and memorabilia. PTI COR CHSSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.