After facing a blank in municipal polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to contest the ensuing Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections on the party symbol, that is ‘broom’.
Already marred by severe infighting, that was more than evident during the recently-concluded three-day monsoon session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the party believed that contesting panchayat polls on its symbol may provide it the much needed boost in the state.
During the meeting, the leaders decided upon the number of seats, falling under the districts and assembly constituencies, from where the party would field its candidates.
It was decided in the meeting that the decision regarding the candidates would be taken by the district president and the halqa president after holding consultations with the local leaders and volunteers.
The decisions were taken by the party during the meeting of its legislators and the office bearers in Sangrur. The meeting was attended by party’s state unit president and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, co-president Dr Balbir Singh, leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, Deputy leader Sarabjit Kaur Manuke, among others.
Party’s rebel faction, including Bholath MlA Sukhpal Khaira, Kharar MlA Kanwar Sandhu, besides other six party legislators, was not part of the meeting. In fact, the rebel faction held its rally at Moga to show its strength.
The ousted leader of Opposition, Khaira assailed not only the former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, but also his party colleague Bhagwant Mann.
Mincing no words, Khaira blamed the previous Akali-BJP government for destroying Punjab in all aspects. “The drug dealers and smugglers had a free hand during the SAD-BJP regime due to which the state’s youth is in the grip of death,” he said.
Khaira accused Badal and his son and SAD president Sukhbir Badal for Guru Granth Sahib’s sacrilege, saying that by running away from the debate on the report of Justice (retired) Ranjit Singh Commission in the Vidhan Sabha, the Akali Dal has accepted its crime.
Taking on his party colleague Bhagwant Mann, Khaira said that by joining hands with the Delhi Darbar, Sangrur MP has proved that he did not care about the Punjab's interests.
Khaira said that Bhagwant Maan has been victimizing the hearts of the Punjabis by becoming the 'handheld' of the Delhi Darbar and under the feet of those who have to bear the full bliss of the people.