New Delhi/UNI: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday appealed to all Punjabis in the capital to support and vote for BJP in the ensuing Assembly polls and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for championing the cause of the Sikhs.
Addressing reporters at a press conference after BJP national President J P Nadda said Akalis have extended support to the saffron outfit for the polls, Mr Badal said Prime Minister Modi has been working for the Sikh community sincerely since 2014.
''All Guru Shatabdis were fully supported by the government and financially also,'' he said.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab also criticised Congress for the 1984 anti-Sikh mayhem and also allegedly tried to 'protect' likes of Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted and sent to life imprisonment.
He said under the Modi government, a SIT was constituted and all 1984 riots cases were fast-tracked.
For the first time, all Embassies were issued directions to celebrate all Guru Shatabdis, he said and cited the opening of Kartapur corridor as one of the achievements of Modi-led regime.
The announcement of poll alliance between the BJP and Akali Dal, which can influence Sikh voters in the city, came after days of differences between the two parties on various issues including newly enacted Citizenship law.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadda told reporters, "Akali Dal has been always with us, it has always come forward and teamed up with the BJP in the service of the nation. Today also, I am glad to state that Akali Dal has decided to support BJP in the Delhi elections."
"I am thankful for their decision," Nadda said.
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