In a shocker for Kapurthala district planning committee chairman and former MLA Sarabjeet Makkar, the SAD has asked newly inducted singer and former BSP leader KS Makhan to start activism for the party in Kapurthala.
The 40-year-old Makhan’s name was already doing rounds in political circles of Kapurthala for replacing Makkar.
But, the reports were strengthened on Monday with the singer’s formal joining in the presence of SAD chief Sukhbir Badal in Chandigarh.
Previously Makkar had unsuccessfully contested 2012 polls against Congress’s Rana Gurjit.
“I was in touch with the SAD chief from last one year and he has directed me to work in Kapurthala,” Makhan told HT.
“But, few local SAD leaders had raised questions that I was not even the primary member of the party. So the SAD chief directed me to join on Monday,” said Makhan.
The former BSP leader claimed that during his meeting with the SAD chief, he was assured to get all sorts of administrative support.
Makhan, who had unsuccessfully contested as BSP candidate from Anandpur Sahib segment in 2014 had received 69,106 votes thus depositing his security.
{{/usCountry}}Makhan, who had unsuccessfully contested as BSP candidate from Anandpur Sahib segment in 2014 had received 69,106 votes thus depositing his security.
{{/usCountry}}However, sources in the SAD have maintained that he has not been assured of the ticket yet, keeping in mind the reaction, from Makkar’s group.
“I have assured the SAD chief that I can create history in Kapurthala by defeating sitting MLA Rana Gurjit. I am sure SAD will give me a chance,” said the singer.
Makhan originally belongs to Shanker village falling under Nakodar sub-division of Jalandhar.
In 2007 the singer was booked by Jalandhar Police in a case of drug smuggling. The singer, however, was discharged of these charges in 2013.
Meanwhile, Makhan’s joining has perplexed Makkar group as Makhan, a Jat Sikh fits in SAD’s plans more than Makkar, an urban Sikh.
The Kapurthala segment is prominently a a Jat Sikh seat.
“Makhan has spread the rumour about his candidature being finalised from the seat deliberately. I have already been conveyed by the party high command that I have to contest from Kapurthala as I have been working here from last five years,” said Makkar.
Makkar is also reportedly showing interest to contest from Jalandhar Cantonment seat.