Arab Spring in the offing in Punjab: Manpreet

PPP chief Manpreet Badal, feels an Arab Spring is in the offing in Punjab to unseat the government headed by his uncle Parkash Singh Badal.

Manpreet Badal, who till last year was with the ruling Akali Dal as its finance minister in the coalition government, feels an Arab Spring is in the offing in Punjab to unseat the government headed by his uncle Parkash Singh Badal.

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Citing the anti-government protests across the Arab world, Manpreet feels people in Punjab are also in mood for a change.

President of newly-formed Punjab People's Party which is emerging as a third force in the state, Manpreet claims the results of Punjab elections would be quite different than expected.

"If in the Arab world, in Africa or in Islamic countries, the girls and women could bring about a revolution, it is a different ball game in Punjab. People are in a mood to script a new story this time. You see, the results are going to be a lot different than what you think... People were sick of this system and their patience is running out," he told PTI.

Manpreet claimed his PPP-led 'Sanjha Morcha', which comprises CPI and CPI-M also, said his combine would extend his support to "whichever party agrees to implement our agenda or our manifesto in toto".

He said this when asked what he would do if his party held the key to government-formation.

"Otherwise, we will ask the Governor to order fresh elections," he added.