New Delhi, Nov 21  Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday met President Pranab Mukherjee and said the Congress was in league with "secessionist forces" in Punjab and should be declared an "anti-national party".

"We apprised the president that the Congress was disturbing peace in Punjab by encouraging secessionist forces which had brought 20 years of disturbance in the state," Badal, a top leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, told reporters after meeting Mukherjee.

"We requested the president to declare the Congress an anti-national party as it was working against the unity of the country," said Badal, who was accompanied by party leaders.

Badal also targeted Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, saying he was "organising" rallies along with secessionist organisations.