AAP dissident launches poll campaign
Wednesday, 30/12/2015
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KHADOOR SAHIB (TARN TARAN): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dissident and renowned Gurbani exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh on Tuesday launched his election campaign for the Khadoor Sahib assembly bypoll after performing ‘ardas’ at Gurdwara Angitha Sahib.
Baldeep has already announced to contest the bypoll, whose date is yet to be announced, as an Independent. The seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki’s resignation in protest against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.
Later, at a press conference, Baldeep said he would soon release his poll manifesto, highlighting local and state issues. He claimed to have the support of some senior members of the Sant Samaj, ‘nonpolitical’ Panthic organisations, Swaraj Lehar, Aam Aadmi Volunteer Front and AAP MPs Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa.
Baldeep had been suspended from the AAP earlier this year, along with Dr Gandhi and Khalsa, for allegedly making anti-party statements.
When asked about his ‘absence’ from the constituency after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, which he contested unsuccessfully as the AAP candidate, he clarified that whenever he had been invited by local residents, he had paid a visit.
Baldeep was accompanied by Prof Manjit Singh, convener of Swaraj Lehar, and activists of the Aam Aadmi Volunteer Front.
Refuting the Shiromani Akali Dal’s claim that the November 10 ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ was organised at the Congress’ behest, he said the ruling party’s statements were meant to mislead the people.
On the grants announced by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal for the Khadoor Sahib assembly segment during his sangat darshan programmes, Baldeep said the bulk of the amount would fall prey to corruption.
