After sharing stage with communist parties under the banner of the Sanjha Morcha for two years, the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) is going to organise the Maghi Mela conference in the second week of January on its own. Besides, parting ways with communist parties, the PPP has also started thinking about contesting the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections.
With no official announcement of separation, the Sanjha Morcha has been out of the political scenario since the PPP chief and Sanhja Morcha president Manpreet Singh Badal contested the Lok Sabha elections on the Congress symbol from Bathinda seat against Shiromani Akali Dal Badal heavyweight Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
“PPP is organising the Maghi Mela conference on its own. Congress is a bigger party and they will organise their conference separately. I had a telephonic communication with a communist party leader and asked him to come and share stage with the PPP. But the rally will be organised by the PPP,” said Manpreet.
However, Communist Party of India (CPI) national executive member Joginder Dayal said, “We are not taking part in the Maghi Mela conference. Our first attempt is to keep communist forces intact. And, then we can consider supporting any other secular force.
Some of the communist groups did not support Manpreet as he joined hands with the Congress during the Lok sabha elections.”
The Sanjha Morcha, a conglomerate of PPP, SAD (Barnala), CPI and CPI (M), was floated ahead of the last assembly elections in 2012 in which the Morcha got 6% vote share.
Some of the communist groups did not support Manpreet as he joined hands with the Congress during the Lok sabha elections.”
The Sanjha Morcha, a conglomerate of PPP, SAD (Barnala), CPI and CPI (M), was floated ahead of the last assembly elections in 2012 in which the Morcha got 6% vote share.
With the Sanhja Morcha being phased out, a demand has been rising within the PPP to contest the SGPC elections. “We had a party meeting last nearly two weeks ago and some of our members stressed that we should contest the SGPC polls if the party wants to stand firm in Punjab politics,” said Manpreet.