AAP for dialogue with rebels ahead of Assembly elections

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 13

Eyeing the 2017 Assembly polls, the AAP is contemplating to patch up with its dissidents as part of its strategy to strengthen its base in Punjab.

This was revealed by comedian and newest celebrity entrant into the party Gurpreet Ghuggi after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple today.

There could be some differences at the individual level among the volunteers, but matters would be sorted out at the level of AAP’s national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

“One of the main items on AAP’s agenda for the state was to have a dialogue with some of our senior party volunteers to redress their grievances. Such persons were ideologically committed to us but were steered away from the party line because of difference of opinion on petty issues. Kejriwal is coming to Punjab shortly to intervene in this regard,” he said.

Taking a dig at Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal’s recent remarks about AAP as good entertainer, Ghuggi said, “Since today’s Punjab is wilting because of drug menace, unemployment, poor law and order, it definitely needs to be entertained. I am happy that now Sukhbir too has certified that we are capable of bringing a smile on the face of Punjabis,” he said.

Guggi said that he joined the party to bring practical reforms in society. “I always excel at political satire comedy shows on stage but it was time to give my thoughts a practical shape. That’s why I opted to come out on the political stage and decided to support the AAP’s people- friendly ideology”, he said

Ghuggi endorsed the slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan’. “It a pity that here both are unhappy today. The government never stands with them in their hour of crisis. The Delhi government was the first to announce a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the kin of martyrs.

Similarly, as per the Delhi pattern, if voted to power, our party would focus on the farmers’ plight. Due to ill-conceived policies of present government, the debt- ridden farmers are ending their lives. We intend to formulate a policy for them so that both of these classes can be adequately compensated”, he said.

On PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh’s remarks about not letting Kejriwal enter Punjab, he said that it was a fundamental right of every citizen to go to any part of the country without barriers.