Punjab polls 2022: Sanyukt Samaj Morcha on sticky wicket

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Chandigarh, January 22

Having announced its decision to contest the Punjab elections, the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) is facing a multitude of problems in putting up a united front.

While BKU (Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan has already expressed his disapproval over the group contesting the poll, CPI and the CPI (ML) are unhappy over the issue of poll symbols.

The SSM’s list of candidates includes CPI leaders, including Kishan Chohan from Budhlada, Satwant Singh from Lehragaga and Amarjit Singh from Amritsar (West).

Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu, general secretary, SSM, said, “All our candidates will contest the elections on our party symbol.” In contrast, CPI state secretary Bant Singh Brar said, “We have a national identity and will not merge with the new party. We will fight the poll on our symbol.” CPI (ML) leaders too have reservations over the issue.

Earlier, the SSM had trouble with ally Sanyukt Sangharsh Party led by Gurnam Singh Charuni, which had demanded 25 seats. The SSM had offered nine. Charuni later settled for 10 seats.

Also, the Aam Aadmi Party alleged the SSM was being supported by the BJP. Its state affairs incharge Raghav Chadha recently said the BJP was facilitating the SSM in a bid to thwart AAP progress. Pannu said, “We forced the BJP to withdraw the farm laws after a year-long struggle. There is no question of any tie-up with it. Misleading information is being spread to malign us.”

In another development, ex-servicemen have expressed resentment over not been given representation in the group.

Brig Inder Mohan Singh, vice president, Indian Ex-Services League, said, “We had talks with Rajewal and Charuni, but we were not given due representation. So we decided to part ways.”