All members of Kotli panchayat join AAP

All members of the Kotli panchayat on Thursday joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Kotli in Payal Assembly segment is the native village of former Chief Minister Beant Singh.

All the office-bearers, led by Sandeep Kaur, sarpanch, were welcomed into AAP by Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura.

Testimony to govt’s efforts: MLA Giaspura

Giaspura said the development was a testimony to the fact that the state government had ensured unprecedented development in the region. He added that it was what persuaded the panchayat members from the village, once a stronghold of the Congress; to join the AAP.

Giaspura said he brought grants worth crores for the development and maintenance projects in education, health, power supply, public health and agriculture during his tenure.

All the new panchayat members, who also included panches Harjinder Singh, Dharampal Singh and Sarabjit Singh, assured Giaspura that they will do their best to make optimum use of funds for the overall development of the village.

Congress alleges coercion tactics

However, Lakhvir Singh Lakha, former Congress MLA and Payal halqa in-charge, alleged the AAP was playing pressure tactics by coercing elected members to change loyalties.

“The undemocratic practice to coerce leaders of rival parties to join the party in power will not last long,” added Lakha.