After Sidhu, Chhotepur too puts off party plans
Thursday, 22/09/2016
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=165399&boxid=59403&uid=&dat=2016-09-22
Chandigarh: Former AAP Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur expressed shock over Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision not to float Awaaz-e-Punjab as a political party and said his search for good people for Punjab’s betterment will continue.
“He (Sidhu) is a big man and it was his own idea. But my search for good people for the betterment of Punjab will continue,” Chhotepur said.
Days after announcing ‘Awaaz-e-Punjab’, Sidhu on Wednesday said the four-member forum will not float a political party, though it was ready to forge alliance for the betterment of Punjab.
Sidhu said it takes a “minimum of two years” for a new political party “to win a state” and three months is too short a time for this Herculean task”.
On being asked whether he will float a political party, Chhotepur said “We don’t have the resources to do so at present. I will pay obeisance to Patna Sahib tomorrow and after returning will take next course of action,” he said, adding he would hold deliberations with Sidhu on future prospects of Punjab.
Meanwhile, he claimed he was in touch with suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi.
“He (Gandhi) is committed to Punjab and wants only a Punjabi should lead the people of the state, instead of outsiders,” said Chhotepur.
Gandhi, earlier, had announced a Punjab centric front ‘Punjab Lok Front’ which might contest the 2017 polls. “My supporters and volunteers (in his recently concluded Punjab Parivartan Yatra) have told me to set up a new political “platform” comprising people with clean image and committed to save Punjab,” he said.
He said, “I will meet like-minded people and bring them together, and have a political party in order to provide best alternative to people in the upcoming elections,” he said.
Chhotepur asserted, “It is essential to show seriousness towards the people of Punjab, only then they will start supporting you.”
People will support us once we can show them the best alternatives, who will be people committed to save Punjab, he added.
Notably, several of AAP’s former zonal coordinators have already pledged support to Chhotepur.
Chhotepur, was removed as convener after a video clip surfaced allegedly showing him taking a bribe for giving tickets in a purported sting operation.
