Suspended AAP MP Gandhi to float own, ‘regional’ party for Punjab on Aug 23 - Hindustan Times
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Suspended AAP MP Gandhi to float own, ‘regional’ party for Punjab on Aug 23

By, Patiala
Aug 19, 2016 11:20 PM IST

A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its second list of 13 candidates for the upcoming Punjab assembly elections, suspended AAP leader and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi announced to float a new, “regional” party on August 23.

A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its second list of 13 candidates for the upcoming Punjab assembly elections, suspended AAP leader and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi on Friday announced to float a new, “regional” party on August 23.

Suspended AAP leader and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.(HT File Photo)
Suspended AAP leader and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.(HT File Photo)

“Punjab needs a regional party as the Shiromani Akali Dal has failed to protect the interests of state. Akalis have ignored the farmers and labourers and have stakes in real estate, hotels chains, and the transport and liquor trade. I will float a party which will work for the welfare of Punjab,” said Dr Gandhi.

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Also read | Party democracy a sham, AAP tickets given to ‘parachute’ leaders: Dr Gandhi

He is aiming at uniting like-minded outfits which are against the Congress, Akalis and AAP. He is hoping that rebel members of the AAP will also join his outfit, which he will announce in Chandigarh on Tuesday. As of now, it is different from the Swaraj Abhiyan of former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav which plans to formally turn into a party on October 2, as also from the Abhiyan’s estranged Punjab unit, Swaraj Lehar, which has already turned into a party but not moved further than an announcement.

“The people of Punjab reposed faith in the AAP, but it has now deviated from its path and has joined the mad race to attain power. The local leadership is being ignored and the real issues, such as corruption and changing the system, have taken a backseat,” said Dr Gandhi. “I appeal well-wishers of Punjab, including individuals, political groups, organisations and intelligentsia, to join hands under a common banner for the welfare of the state,” he added.

Also read | ‘Legalise opium, marijuana’: Dr Gandhi to move bill in Parliament to change law

Meanwhile, AAP volunteers objected to the candidature Gurdev Singh Dev from Nabha by terming him an outsider. The volunteers raised their objection at a meeting chaired by Patiala district coordinator Balbir Singh. “Why have you sent a parachute leader? it will demoralise the party workers,” said an AAP worker.

AAP ticket aspirants from Sanaur — Harjeet Singh Adaltiwala, Gurbans Singh Punia and five others — objected the ticket to Balbir Singh.

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