Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Monday asked people to give a befitting reply to the ruling Congress in the Zila Paridhad and Panchayat samiti polls for alleged conspiracy in vitiating peaceful atmosphere of the state along with separatist elements.
He said the manner in which police escorted 50 "separatist elements" including SAD (Amritsar) Simranjit Mann's group and aides of Raviinder Singh of United Akali Dal at Faridkot on Sunday, indicated that the state government was following "divide and rule" policy.
"Earlier also, before the advent of terrorism in Punjab, Congress leaders destroyed peace in the state by encouraging and sheltering radical elements. The same is being done now," Majithia alleged at a public meeting here and at Kathunangal and Bhangali in support of SAD candidates contesting Zila Parishad and Block samiti polls.
Asking people to recognize the "conspiracy" behind these acts, the SAD leader claimed that the Congress wanted to "weaken" the SAD and Sikh institutions, and had "recruited" the likes of Sikh radicals Baljit Singh Daduwal and Dhyan Singh Mand for this purpose.
He said the SAD would not allow anyone to "ride roughshod" over Akali workers in the ensuing elections to panchayati raj bodies.
Akali workers had countered Congress "atrocities" on the son of a Scheduled Cast candidate who was "insulted and even dragged around with his beard" for protesting in front of the Jandiala Guru police station, Majithia said.
"Though we have got a case registered in this regard late last night, I want to warn the Congressmen behind this reprehensible act that we will not spare them once we come to power," he said.