Gandhi’s front to announce 20 candidates tomorrow

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 11

The Punjab Front being led by Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, an AAP rebel and Patiala MP, will announce its first list of 20 candidates on Tuesday. Sources claim that in the first list is likely to be dominated by former AAP volunteers.

Dr Gandhi confirmed the development. He said the front’s screening committee recently organised screening of workers in Patiala and Ludhiana and called those who had approached them for ticket. He said around 20 names had been shortlisted, which would be announced in a press conference.

Prof Manjeet Singh, front’s spokesperson, said they would value those AAP volunteers who had worked hard for the party but were ignored. The Democratic Swaraj Party being headed by Prof Manjeet Singh is also part of the Punjab Front.

Dr Gandhi said they had selected candidates broadly on four parameters, including endorsement of their Punjab-centric agenda and candidate’s credentials. “Winnability is the last parameter we have depended upon,” he said.

He said they won’t make an alliance with the SAD-BJP, the Congress or AAP at any cost. “We are open to dialogue with other pro-people and secular outfits,” he said.

The sources revealed that since the front had parted ways with Sucha Singh Chhotepur’s Aapna Punjab Party, it would contest at as many seats as possible. A senior leader revealed that the front was planning to contest around 50 seats.

Contesting on AAP ticket, Dr Gandhi had defeated Preneet Kaur from Patiala during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. However, he was later suspended from the primary membership of the party for speaking openly against party national convener Arvind Kejriwal.

The Aapna Punjab Party (APP) led by Sucha Singh Chhotepur has already announced the names of 30 candidates. Most of the nominees are disgruntled AAPvolunteers.