Freedom fighters’ kin to contest two Malwa seats

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, April 14

To “teach” the Congress and the SAD-BJP a lesson for ignoring their long-pending demands, freedom fighters’ families today announced to contest the forthcoming general elections from Patiala and Bathinda under the banner of the Freedom Fighters Successors Organisation Punjab.

“After a state-level meeting in Sangrur, members of the organisation has chosen both seats to contest because from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal is likely candidate of the SAD-BJP while from Patiala, Preneet Kaur is contesting from the Congress,” said Harinder Khalsa, president of the organisation.

From Bathinda the organisation onSunday announced Jaswant Singh, who belongs to a freedom fighter’s family, as their candidate while from Patiala, they willtake the final decision in coming some days.

Members of the organisation alleged that various political parties had given the tickets to singers, actors, sportspersons and even criminals facing various cases. But they said that none bothered to give ticket to them.

“Though we will contest on only two seats, our members will expose the state government for its failure to fulfil our long-pending demands despite repeated assurances,” said Chamkaur Singh, Mansa president of the organisation.

Their main demands include free 300 units of power to the families of freedom fighters, exemption from toll plaza, 5 per cent quota in government jobs, free bus travel facility and financial aid to construct houses.

“In January we had met CM Capt Amarinder Singh and he had assured to look into our demands, but nothing happened after that. We will send our representatives to Parliament to raise our voice,” said Fateh Singh, another member of the organisation.