AAP-PPP's 'comedy' connection
The love of humour bonding two comedian turned politicians will write the script of the alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and People's Party of Punjab (PPP)
The love of humour bonding two comedian turned politicians will write the script of the alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and People's Party of Punjab (PPP), who are expected to form a coalition for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Punjab.
There been no "serious" meeting between the two parties over contesting the general elections from a common front till now. However, the friendship between PPP leader and Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann and AAP man Kumar Vishwas, also a comedian and poet, is set to play a key role in the formation of an alliance, sources close to PPP chief Manpreet Badal disclosed to HT.
Bhagwant and Vishwas have shared the stage on various occasions, and they share a deep friendship, it is learnt.
Bhagwant is scheduled to meet Vishwas in Delhi in this week, specifically to hold talks about the coalition.
Even PPP chief Manpreet Badal, at his press conference in Jalandhar on Monday, hinted about the possibility of an alliance with the AAP.
"It is too early to comment about our party's alliance with AAP or Congress. Things will get clear by mid-February," said Manpreet.
However, answering a different question later, he denied any chances of an alliance with the Congress.
"I don't think there is any possibility of an alliance with the Congress now. On the other hand, it is a fact that the agenda of politics set by parties like PPP and AAP has compelled the Congress and the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mend their ways of governance," he commented.
Sources said Vishwas and Bhagwant have already held parleys over the possibility of coalition, and Vishwas is already convinced that fighting elections single-handedly in Punjab would be a waste effort for the AAP.
Since the PPP has a considerable following in rural areas, while AAP is emerging as a force to reckon with in urban Punjab, a coalition can deliver better results.
Bhagwant Mann declined to comment on the issue, terming it "a confidential matter of the party".
"It is a fact that Vishwas is my good friend. I have visited him in Delhi on a number of occasions, and we have shared the stage on many laughter shows. Yes, we discuss politics also. Rest, I cannot disclose to you," he said.
With a fresh survey by a English news channel terming Punjab "one of the strong grounds where the party may get a 10% vote share if elections are conducted now", the alliance between the PPP and AAP is expected to make the political equation more interesting.
