AAP bends ‘no-alliance rule’, ties up with Bains brothers

Tuesday, 22/11/2016

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/aap-bends-no-alliance-rule--ties-up-with-bains-brothers/326591.html

Allots 5 seats, 4 in Ludhiana, to Lok Insaaf Party.

Chandigarh : The challenging political scenario in the state seems to have forced the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which till now was firm on its “no-alliance policy”, to take to the politics of electoral tie-ups.

The party today announced an alliance with the Lok Insaaf Party, led by Independent MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains. Under the agreement, the Lok Insaaf Party will contest contest four seats in Ludhiana, besides Amargarh seat in Sangrur district.

Sources said after the removal of Sucha Singh Chhotepur as state convener, AAP’s popularity witnessed a decline and the changed political situation forced the AAP leadership to rethink its strategy, they said.

Talking to the media, state convener Gurpreet Singh Wariach accepted that they had been pursuing the policy of no alliances. “We have found a partner, which is close to our principals and ideology,” he said, adding that AAP’s constitution did not prevent them to form an alliance with like-minded forces.

AAP Punjab affairs incharge Sanjay Singh said considering the Bains brothers demand, the party, if voted to power, would give a special package to revive the Ludhiana industry. He said AAP stood by Punjab on SYL as the state had no spare water to give any state.

Simarjit Bains said their alliance was not for short-term gains. He said there was no difference between Capt Amarinder Singh and the Badals. On Navjot Sidhu, he said he had respect for him and would try to convince him to join the alliance.

Both desperate to gain power: SAD

Chandigarh: The SAD on Monday described the Bains brothers' alliance with AAP as "a marriage between two rank opportunists who are getting desperate to remain politically relevant". In a statement here, SAD spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said AAP Punjab incharge Sanjay Singh and state convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich ran away from facing the media when questioned why AAP had reneged on its stand to never have any electoral truck with any party in Punjab. TNS

Tie-up insignificant, says PPCC chief

Chandigarh: Denying that the Bains brothers' alliance with AAP would affect the Congress in any way, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh said the tie-up was insignificant. "Those claiming to win 100 seats are already taking refuge in alliance. An expected rattled Kejriwal has already accepted his defeat," he said. He also denied that the Punjab Congress was in talks with Awaaz-e-Punjab leaders.