Nanded, Aug. 14 -- Former Deputy CM of Punjab and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday called the dagger attack on him in Maharashtra's Nanded as a "larger conspiracy" to "take control of the situation in Punjab."

Speaking to the reporters after getting discharged from the hospital, Badal asserted that the attackers' ultimate goal is to seize control of the political and social landscape in Punjab and disrupt communal harmony as the 2027 assembly elections are fast approaching.

"Their mission is to take control of the situation in Punjab and disturb the peace, which, as President of Akali Dal, I will never allow. Both times they attacked me in the holiest places," he said.

He emphasised that the party remains deeply dedicated ...