Tohra’s family joins AAP

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Patiala, Aug 30

Akali stalwart late Gurcharan Singh Tohra’s son-in-law Harmail Singh Tohra, daughter Kuldeep Kaur and grandson Harinder Pal Singh Tohra joined AAP in Chandigarh today in the presence of party leaders Sanjay Singh and Bhagwant Mann.

Harmail had recently accused Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal of denying him the SAD ticket as he did not have “enough money” to contest the election.

“I have resigned from the Political Affairs Committee as well as the primary membership of the SAD. I am impressed by AAP’s policies and commitment to the masses,” said Harmail.

“The SAD appointed a rebel (Satbir Singh Khatra) as the halqa in-charge in Patiala. He had played a key role in our family’s defeat in the 2012 Assembly poll,” he added.

Kuldeep Kaur said, “Sukhbir Badal has been ignoring Taksali (traditional) Akali families as he is running the party like a private firm.” 

In and out of SAD

Harmail, who served as the PWD minister during 1997-2002, joined the All India Shiromani Akali Dal floated by Tohra after the latter parted ways with Parkash Singh Badal. Harmail contested the 2002 election from Dakala but lost. The two parties later merged. In 2012, Kuldeep Kaur unsuccessfully contested from Patiala Rural. Harmail’s son Harinder Pal is the Patiala Market Committee chairman. The Tohra family is now vying for AAP ticket from Sanaur.