Rebel AAP to support candidates on merit in panchayat polls

Even as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared to contest the ensuing Punjab panchayat polls on its symbol, ‘broom’, the rebel faction on Monday distanced from the party’s State unit declaring that it would only support the “good candidates”. The faction, in fact, decided against contesting the elections.

The rebel faction, comprising of eight out of total 20 AAP MLAs, made it clear that it would support the AAP’s candidates during the ensuing Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections too depending upon whom the party field.

“It is not necessary that we would oppose the AAP’s candidates. We would support them if they are good and deserves to win,” said AAP’s rebel MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, while making it clear that the rebel faction would not field its candiadtes.

The decision to support the good candidates was taken during the meeting of rebel faction’s political affairs committee (PAC).

Another rebel MLA from Kharar Kanwar Sandhu maintained that they would support the party candidates, and from the seats, where the party has not fielded its candidates, the candidates with good image would be supported.

Sandhu said that it was decided in the meeting that the party should not contest the polls and in fact, all attention should be given on strengthening the party. “We believed that if we oppose the party candidates, the party would become weak. We have resolved to strengthen the party and we are firm on our demands,” said Sandhu.

A day before, AAP’sstate president Bhagwant Mann and co-president Dr Balbir Singh had announced to contest the ensuing Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections on the party symbol.

Already marred by severe infighting, that was more than evident during the recently-concluded three-day monsoon session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the party believed that contesting panchayat polls on its symbol may provide it the much needed boost in the state.

During the meeting of AAP legislators, office bearers, district presidents, among others, in Sangrur, the state leadership decided upon the number of seats, falling under the districts and assembly constituencies, from where the party would field its candidates.

It was also decided that the decision regarding the candidates would be taken by the district president and the halqa president after holding consultations with the local leaders and volunteers.

Party’s rebel faction, led by Bholath MLA Khaira, was not part of the meeting. In fact, the rebel faction held its rally at Moga to show its strength.