Badal slams AAP over paper leaks

Patiala: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of betraying Punjab’s youth through repeated examination paper leaks and promised job reservations for locals if voted to power. Badal was addressing a protest organised here by the Students’ Organisation of India, the student wing of SAD, against the alleged examination paper leaks. Citing the United States and China as examples, he said countries that invest in and protect their youth emerge as global leaders.

He alleged that Punjab’s youth were being neglected and forced to take to the streets in protest, and claimed that the state government had shown complete indifference towards education and employment. Badal said students spend substantial amounts on coaching and preparation only to see recruitment examinations marred by paper leaks, and alleged that around 10 examination papers had leaked during the AAP-led government and criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for remaining silent on the issue. During the protest, Badal made a series of poll promises.

He said that if the Akali Dal forms the next government in the state, it would enact a law mandating that 100 per cent of government jobs be reserved for Punjabis.