Keep out of poll fray, Dhindsa Sr tells son

Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, March 18

With the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) finalising former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa’s nomination for the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, his father and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who quit the party posts six months ago, today asked him not to contest the polls. This could spell trouble for the SAD.

Dhindsa Senior had in January this year sought the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal as party president. “My stand today is the same,” he told mediapersons here. “I have told my son not to enter the poll fray. A five-time MLA, he understands politics well,” he said, hinting in case he disregarded his advice, he would not be canvassing for his son. 

The familial differences could mar the chances of a SAD victory in Sangrur.

Dhindsa, who has shunned public events ever since he resigned from party posts, was here at a felicitation function on being awarded the Padma Bhushan. The rebel MP, sources said, held meetings with Taksali leaders last week.

Meanwhile, a day after calling off talks with AAP, the SAD (Taksali) was back negotiating a deal with Sukhpal Khaira's Punjabi Ekta Party on Monday.