Day after, differences surface in Punjab Democratic alliance

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18

A day after the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) was formed, differences emerged between its leaders. Eight rebel AAP MLAs led by Sukhpal Khaira have decided not to resign from their party as of now.

Khaira, along with Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjit Singh Bains and AAP MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, had announced the alliance in Patiala yesterday. They had declared that the ‘Jamhoori Gathjorh’ could contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party. They had also announced several resolutions for saving Punjab from decades of “misrule”.

However, Dr Gandhi has taken exception to the resolutions on the withdrawal of Panth Rattan ‘Faqr-e-Quam’ title given to former CM Parkash Singh Badal and ending political interference in the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Gandhi told The Tribune today that the resolutions were declared without prior consultation with him. “I am fighting a battle for the benefit of Punjab and to cleanse the system. The honour of ‘Faqr-e-Quam’ was bestowed on the then CM by Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs. I don’t think politicians should interfere in this matter. I may have reservations over the title given to Badal, but it is for Akal Takht to decide.”

The AAP MP also opposed the resolution on ending the alleged control of the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal over the SGPC. “By saying that we will end political interference in a religious body also amounts to interference. I am opposed to meddling in Panthic matters.”

When contacted, Khaira played down the difference of opinion. “I have already clarified the issue with Dr Gandhi. We had not put forth a resolution as such. We had asked the public about their opinion on the matter.”

Meanwhile, Nazar Singh Mansahia, one of the eight rebel AAP MLAs, said: “We will not resign from AAP as it will necessitate a bypoll and thus burden the public exchequer.”

He said the legislators agreed that they would continue to question the wrongdoings in AAP while staying within the party. Khaira also said he did not want to impose a bypoll on the state by immediately resigning from the membership of the Assembly.

AAP is the principal opposition party in the state with 20 MLAs, of which eight have formed a splinter rebel group. The party will lose this status if the rebel MLAs resign.