AAP rebels, LIP form alliance

Aman Sood
Tribune News Service
Mehmadpur (Patiala), December 16

Suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi, rebel AAP MLAs led by Sukhpal Khaira, and Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) leaders today announced the formation of ‘Jamhoori Gathjorh’ or the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The leaders’ nine-day ‘Insaaf March’, which had begun from Takht Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, on December 8, ended at the Mehmadpur grain market after covering 180 km and 54 villages. Asserting that a pro-Punjab political outfit was the need of the hour, the leaders vowed to continue seeking justice in the cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and the Behbal Kalan police firing. “In case justice is not delivered, we will announce an action plan on the occasion of Maghi Mela in January,” they added.

“We will welcome a tie-up with all parties which believe in the Constitution. We thank the BSP and the Lok Insaaf Party for their support. Our alliance will ensure that the SGPC is freed from the clutches of the Akali Dal, while the ‘failed’ Congress leadership in the state is made answerable,” said Khaira.

“These corrupt parties and leaders have ruined a glorious state like Punjab, which is now facing a colossal debt of Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Farmers and farm labourers are committing suicide, while lakhs of unemployed youth have taken to drugs or are moving abroad because of hopelessness and frustration,” he added.

Dr Gandhi accused the Centre of infringing upon the rights of the states. He said the larger aim of the PDA would be to strive for a federal India and democratic Punjab.

Simarjit Bains, LIP president, said the Congress government in the state had failed to redress the grievances of small and medium industries and its workers. “So-called relief of Rs 5 per unit of electricity benefited a few hundred large industrial houses, while more than 30,000 smaller industries are paying higher charges,” he said.

State BSP president Rashpal Raju said the weaker sections and Dalits were being exploited through politically motivated welfare schemes, while they were being denied their right to quality education, healthcare, affordable housing and employment.

Besides Khaira, the AAP MLAs present were Kanwar Sandhu, Jagdev Singh, Najar Singh, Jagtar Singh, Pirmal Singh and Baldev Singh.

AAP had suspended Dr Gandhi in 2015 and Khaira in November this year. LIP MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains had parted ways with AAP in March.

‘Will seek justice in sacrilege cases’

Asserting that a pro-Punjab outfit was the need of the hour, the leaders vowed to continue seeking justice in cases of sacrilege and the Behbal Kalan police firing. “In case justice is not delivered, we will announce an action plan on the occasion of Maghi Mela in January,” they added.