Former SAD district chief joins AAP

AMRITSAR: In a last minute effort to stop former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) district president Upkar Singh Sandhu, who had resigned from the party on the desecration issue, from joining Aam Aadmi Party today, former Akali MLA and now probable Congress candidate from the South constituency, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, paid a visit at the hotel, where a press conference to announce his formal induction was scheduled by the AAP.

Punjab convener of the Aam Aadmi Party Gurpreet Singh Waraich (centre) inducts former SAD district president Upkar Singh Sandhu (second from right) in the party on Saturday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 14

In a last minute effort to stop former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) district president Upkar Singh Sandhu, who had resigned from the party on the desecration issue, from joining Aam Aadmi Party today, former Akali MLA and now probable Congress candidate from the South constituency, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, paid a visit at the hotel, where a press conference to announce his formal induction was scheduled by the AAP.

Sandhu was waiting in a hotel room for the AAP state convener, Gurpreet Singh Waraich, to arrive and announce his induction in the party. Bolaria reportedly kept waiting outside the hotel room as it was locked from inside. Later, Bolaria and Sandhu talked for a few minutes after which the former left the hotel.

After resigning from SAD, Sandhu had tried to join AAP earlier too, but due to opposition by party volunteers, his move was stalled. Later, Sandhu and Bolaria had joined the Congress in presence of Rahul Gandhi at Dussehra function in New Delhi.

Addressing a press conference here today, Waraich said people of the state admired Sandhu’s guts for resigning from the post of district president and Punjab Energy Development Agency chairman following desecration of Guru Granth Sahib.

“In times when political leaders try to stick to their posts, Upkar Singh Sandhu has set an example and respected sentiments of the general public,” he said.

Sandhu said he had tried to fight corruption and drug menace while being in SAD. “In my brief stint with the Congress, I realised that my ideology is same as that of AAP,” he said.

Taking a jibe at Captain Amarinder Singh and the Congress, Gurpreet Waraich said, “They are asking us to nominate our CM candidate, but they are unable to find candidates from all the 117 seats.”

Talking about Sidhus — Navjot Kaur and Navjot Singh — he said the couple would be the most happiest when AAP would be voted to power. “Sidhus’ could not join AAP because of their personal and political compulsions, but they are honest and we share the same ideology. They will be happy when an honest government is elected,” he added.