Joined AAP as Left turned indifferent, says Bant Singh

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar/Bathinda, Dec 26

A day after he joined the Aam Aadmi Party, Bant Singh from Jhabbar village in Mansa today said that he joined AAP not because of its pro-Dalit policies, but due to his disagreement with the CPI (ML) Liberation.

Talking to The Tribune, Bant said: “I had bought a piece of land in the village a couple of years ago that turned out to be disputed. I asked the party leadership for support, but got no response.”

He, however, said he acknowledged the help provided by the Left during his struggle following the rape of his daughter and chopping off of his limbs.

Sukhdarshan Natt of CPI (ML) Liberation said: “AAP took the benefit of the innocence of Bant Singh, who being an illiterate could not understand the same. We always stood by him.”

Left leader Gurmeet Singh Bakhtpura said: “AAP has been playing dirty tricks since last year when it offered Rs 10 lakh award to Bant Singh. He had turned down the offer at that time, but now fell for economic benefits.”

Bhagwant Smao, party’s Mansa president, also alleged that Bant Singh joined AAP for economic benefits. CPI state secretary Hardev Arshi said: “Bant Singh’s exclusion will have no impact on the Left. He lacks political consciousness. He doesn’t even enjoy the support of people of his own village.”