Poll on mind, Swaraj Abhiyan splits

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 29

In a setback to social activist Yogendra Yadav’s Swaraj Abhiyan, its Punjab unit, led by Prof Manjit Singh and backed by AAP rebels Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa, announced a regional political party here today.

Dr Gandhi, Patiala MP, and Khalsa, Fatehgarh Sahib MP,  expressed solidarity with the new party. 

Anupam, who is national spokesperson for Swaraj Abhiyan, said, “The decision to form a political party has not been taken in accordance with the due process laid down by the Abhiyan.” 

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He said from the beginning Swaraj Abhiyan had declared that it was committed to building alternative politics. “We decided not to form a party and have laid down some parameters of transparency, accountability and inner party democracy to prove ourselves on the criteria before a decision on party formation can be taken,” he said.

He said since his Punjab colleagues did not follow this process, “we are unable to own or endorse the decision. However, Punjab needs alternative politics to rid itself from the Akali-BJP misrule.

“The Congress and AAP have proven themselves incompetent. We wish the proposed Swaraj Party well and would like to have fraternal relationship with it and any such formation which can provide a genuine political alternative to Punjab.”