AAP fields Bhagat as Jalandhar (West) candidate, draws flak

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 13

Following the declaration of recent 29 seats’ list of the AAP, activists in Jalandhar have opposed the selection of the Jalandhar (West) candidate in the city, while demanding that another candidate be chosen to represent the constituency.

Activists of the Aam Admi Party, from the Jalandhar West Constituency, expressed resentment against the candidacy of Darshan Bhagat from Jalandhar West. Stating that the party had given preference to Darshan Bhagat over a well read doctor Dr. Shiv Dyal Mali in the area, activists said this wasn’t in keeping with AAP’s vision of a better political alternative. Demanding candidature for Dr, Mali from the area they also said they shall meet Arvind Kejriwal on the issue.

They said while the chosen candidate Darshan Bhagat is plus 2 pass, he has also formerly been in the BJP from which he had been ousted for six years in 2012. In choosing him, they said, the party had ignored the well read MBBS doctor Dr. Shiv Dyal Mali.

Belonging to the Kabirpanthi Megh Bhagat community, the activists said while the Aam Admi Party stands for change in the political system, corruption free country and unemployment free state, it should have brought in a well-read candidate like Dr. Mali from the area.

Addressing the press, Labh Bhagat said, “As many as 50,000 voters are from the Megh Bhagat community in the area had suffered due to poverty, illiteracy etc and due to lack of proper political representation for them for over 70 years.”

He said some people had – for their vested interests downplayed Dr. Mali’s work and contribution in the area twisting his sir name as not representational to the community – even though he belongs to the Bhagat Community - while choosing Darshan Bhagat over him just for carrying the Bhagat sir name.

Activists said Mali’s 30 years of government service and works carried out in the area were even ignored.