Akali leader asks Akal Takht to take action against Badal

Jalandhar, Sep 19 (UNI) The Akali Dal(1920) led by former Punjab Assembly Speaker Ravi Inder Singh today urged the Akal Takhat Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti to take stern action against SAD president Parkash Singh Badal for accepting donations from the tobacco company ITC.

''Sikhism prohibits the use of tobacco and therefore it is not proper for a panthic party or person to accept money from a tobacco company'', he said while addressing reporters here.

He said the Sikh panth would never forgive Mr Badal for this ''misdeed'' and he would be forced to quit as SAD chief.

Meanwhile, SAD general secretary and former Union Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who was in the town to address a rally, declined to comment on the issue.

Mr Badal said, ''I is not aware of the transaction as I am not concerned with financial affairs of the party.'' UNI SS HS AK HT1925