Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa: No plan to join Aam Aadmi Party

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9

Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa today ruled out any plans to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He was reacting to a statement by senior AAP leader Harpal Cheema yesterday, claiming his party leaders had met Dhindsa, inviting SAD (D) leaders to join them. Cheema had claimed SAD (D) leaders, including Dhindsa, would join the AAP.

Reacting to the statement, Dhindsa said: “A few AAP leaders from Delhi did meet me but there was no talk of anyone joining the party. We are in fact getting messages from the SAD, but there is no chance of joining anyone. We are trying to revive the traditional and pure house of the Akalis.”

Cheap tactics

A few AAP leaders from Delhi did meet me but there was no talk of anyone joining the party. I wonder why they are resorting to such cheap tactics. —Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, SAD (D) leader

Refuting the development following a meeting between senior Dhindsa and AAP leaders, Parminder Dhindsa said: “Ours is a panthic party and there is no question of joining the AAP. Yes, we can work together in the interest of the welfare of the state with like-minded people, including AAP. As a political entity, we have a distinct set of goals that are different from others. We will definitely not change our original entity just for selfish political gains.”

Denying formal talks with the SAD (D), Cheema said: “We are only working on possible alliances with parties who will like to get out of the mould of traditional political work for reviving the glory of Punjab.”