Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has decided not to participate in the upcoming vice presidential election, saying its priority is to assist people affected by the devastating floods in Punjab.
In a statement, the party said its MPs would not cast their votes. At present, SAD has only one seat in Parliament, represented by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
“When thousands of families have been rendered homeless, crops destroyed and people are deprived of basic necessities, our foremost duty is to help the flood-affected,” the party said.
SAD also cited the “attitude of the Centre and the Punjab government” as another reason behind its decision, alleging that adequate steps have not been taken so far for relief and rescue operations.
