It’s AAP show at Hola Mohalla; SAD numbers dip; Cong keeps away

Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, March 5

After a superlative performance in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is eyeing ‘rich dividends’ in the 2017 Assembly elections in Punjab. The party put up an impressive show of strength at its political conference at Hola Mohalla celebrations here on Thursday.  

While the ruling SAD’s camp had a thinner attendance in comparison to previous years, the faction-ridden Congress chose not to take part in the event.

The SAD conference was addressed by party supremo and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Education Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema and MP Prem Singh Chandumjara.  AAP supporters were addressed by its state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur and MP Harinder Singh Khalsa.

Showering praise on the Modi government, Badal said the Union Budget had given Punjab enough funds to up the tempo of development in the state.  The Punjab Chief Minister also hailed the Centre's decision to scrap the "archaic" Planning Commission and replace it with "progressive" NITI Aayog. Badal said SAD’s stand on federalism was vindicated after the Centre decided to raise states' share in Central taxes to 42% from 32%. “The states can now implement their programmes and schemes intended for overall development and welfare of the people,” he said.

AAP leader Chhotepur talked about party’s ‘Mission 2017’. “We have started the legwork for the next Assembly elections. We will eliminate corruption, drugs and other social evils from the state if voted to power,” he said.