Manpreet Badal visits aide Dahiya’s house, manages to convince him

Deepkamal Kaur

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 18

Trying to convince and cajole his aide Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya, who had not accompanied him during the PPP merger with the Congress three days ago at New Delhi, Manpreet Badal today visited his house at Model Town and took him along to Amritsar to pay obeisance at Golden Temple this morning.

Manpreet, who came down from Chandigarh today, had a close-door meeting with the Shahkot-based orthopaedic surgeon for about 10 minutes. Dr Dahiya had been seeking an assurance for him from his Shahkot seat from where he had contested the Assembly polls in 2012 and got nearly 10,000 votes. On Dr Dahiya, Manpreet said, “He is like my younger brother. I share more personal than political relations with him.”

Asked about the issues of protection of political interests of his leaders and workers who were with him in the PPP, Manpreet said, “Whenever the Congress party will decide on tickets, I will definitely put forth their claim. Now, I have to look for the best candidate for not just five or 10 seats, but 117 seats. Whosoever would be the most winnable among them will get the ticket from the party”.

On the adjustment problems that are on post the merger with the Congress and former PPP leaders, Manpreet twisted his reply, “Whenever new bride enters a house, there are issues on which room she is to be given, especially since the number of rooms is the same and everyone wants to secure his space. But since she is part of the family and everyone knows so, she is finally adjusted and all adjustment issues get settled.”

On the AAP, he said, “The Congress is focusing more on the agenda to get Punjab out of social, political and financial crises. The AAP, which has had a more negative campaign till now, is only highlighting problems and has no solution with it as of now. It has no blueprint on unemployment and agriculture. I think a party which peaks early also has a downfall that quickly.”