Bagga to go solo after his expulsion from SAD

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 15

Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and once termed as the favourite of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Madan Lal Bagga was expelled from the party today. “It was expected,” was the reaction of the expelled leader.

Bagga said he had already made up his mind to contest as an Independent. At the same time, Bagga said he had no grudges against SAD but he was against the alliance partner BJP.

“I have selflessly worked for SAD in Ludhiana and it was assured by the party high command that the ticket from Ludhiana North will be given to a SAD leader. But the BJP remained adamant due to which the ticket was given to a BJP leader. I felt disappointed and disheartened. I have made up my mind to contest the elections as an Independent. I feel confident after getting good response from the masses and local Akali leaders,” said Bagga. He termed the BJP a traders’ party.

Meanwhile, traders in the area said they wanted a stable government. So, an Independent candidate can hardly do anything for their betterment. “Traders will never welcome an Independent candidate because he cannot play any role in policy making. They cannot form a government,” said Mohinder Aggarwal, state secretary, Punjab Pradesh Vyopar Mandal.