AAP volunteers from 59 seats open front against party

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 3

Two days after they issued a 48-hour ultimatum to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to remove 59 of the 93 candidates announced so far, party volunteers from 59 constituencies today declared that they would constitute an alternative front of disillusioned volunteers to raise their voice against the party’s policies.

While four committees were formed by the volunteers today — Grievances Committee, Political Affairs, Committee, Campaign Committee and Fundraising Committee — they also announced to hold “Volunteer Milap March” across four cities at Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, Anandpur Sahib and Patiala against AAP in the coming days.

While rebellion was witnessed in some constituencies ever since the recent ticket distribution began, volunteers led by Harinder Singh Zeera today alleged that volunteers and ticket hopefuls had been asked to pool in money for party activities, but were later sidelined.

Zeera said, “The process to form the front has begun. We also have the support of suspended AAP MPs Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Khalsa and ousted leader Jassi Jasraj. Sucha Singh Chhotepur’s APP is also welcome to join us or form an alliance. We may float our own candidates from the 59 contentious seats.”

They also burnt an effigy of Kejriwal later in the day.

Amarjit Singh Khalsa, circle coordinator, Kartarpur, said, “A day before Chandan Grewal was chosen as the candidate for Kartarpur, assurances of Vinod Modi’s candidature were given. We were also asked to put in our money. I have spent a substantial amount, and that was just for the party as I can’t contest, being a general candidate. But finally a surprise candidate made it.”