Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Jattvibeday did not comment on the possibility of an alliance with the BJP but took a dig at his political rivals in Punjab, barring the party’s former ally. He promised the people that SAD would bring in legislation to ensure government jobs were given only to Punjabis, once it formed the next government.Terming the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De (WPD) party a “virus” allegedly introduced to split Sikh votes and weaken the SAD, Badal urged Punjabis to unite under the party banner to restore peace and communal harmony in Punjab.The SAD president, addressing a party rally as part of the ongoing ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign, said “just like the Covid virus threatened the destruction of the world, Waris Punjab De virus was programmed to create infighting in the Sikh community and weaken the SAD”.Urging Punjabis to beware of those portraying themselves as devout Sikhs to influence public opinion, he said: “These are the same persons who used to be on AAP stages five years ago. This is the reason why Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann allegedly deputed PRTC buses for their rally for Rakhar Punya.”The SAD president alleged that the WPD chief had adopted Sikh identity only a few years ago. Amritpal’s family had supported the Congress in the past and even campaigned against Paramjit Kaur Khalra in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said the fact that Waris Punjab De had launched a ‘morcha’ to free Amritpal instead of espousing the cause of the Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners) proved that it was not engaged in any Sikh struggle but was working with anti-Punjab forces to return the state to the dark era of the 1980s.Hitting out at the AAP government, he said Punjabis were brainwashed by an outsider party five years ago. “Despite promises to make Punjab debt-free, the state’s debt had risen from Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Rs 4.5 lakh crore. Over Rs 6,000 crore has been spent on fake advertisements, and many Delhi contractors are minting money,” he alleged.Accusing the Congress of always back stabbing Punjab, he urged people to shun the party as its leaders were allegedly involved in selling adulterated liquor and linked to sand mafia. “Now their leaders are busy fighting among themselves to grab power,” the SAD president said.He said a future SAD government would enact legislation to ensure that government jobs were reserved for Punjabis. He also said new industries seeking government incentives would be required to employ at least 75 per cent Punjabis