MANN ATTACKS SUKHBIR, SAYS BIG BUSINESS HOUSES WARY OF DEPUTY CM’S REPUTATION
Saturday, 26/09/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
ADAMPUR (JALANDHAR): Exposing the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP’s) lack of mass base in the Doaba region, the party rally held here on Friday failed to draw large crowds, in contrast to its rallies in other parts of Punjab.
Party observer Rajiv Chaudhary had on Thursday said that the AAP expected a gathering of more than 10,000, but the number was only around 3,500. The rally was aimed at party supporters from the assembly segments of Jalandhar North, Kartarpur and Adampur.
Downplaying the low attendance, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said the rally venue had to be shifted at the last moment.
AAP’s Delhi leadership was missing from the rally. Party state incharge Sanjay Singh and journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh were not able to come. Addressing the gathering, the Sangrur MP said big business houses were wary of investing in Punjab as they feared the deputy CM might ask for his family’s share in their business.
Later, talking to the media, Mann took potshots at Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Captain Amarinder Singh, who had reportedly dubbed the AAP as a party of extremists and Naxalites. “He is giving such statements out of frustration as the AAP is set to ruin his dreams of becoming the chief minister,” said Mann.
