Suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi joins former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar’s rally

Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi, who was suspended from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Thursday joined former Congress leader Jagmeet Singh Brar’s ‘Mukti Yatra’ on the issues concerning Punjab on the second day of the rally and demanded special status for the state.

The rally, which started in Muktsar on Wednesday, culminated at Talwandi Sabo on Thursday with Gandhi and Brar addressing small gatherings at different places in Bathinda district.

Brar, a former MP, claimed the rally was apolitical and was held only to highlight agrarian crisis, farm suicides and drug problem in Punjab and to demand special state status for the state and a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

During the rally, Gandhi said it is “a political association for the cause of Punjab” and they are ready to join hands with anyone who will work for the welfare of the state.

“Though there are no political undertones in this, I and Brar will carry on this association in the coming future,” the Patiala MP said.

Supporting Brar’s demand of special state status for Punjab, he said he has raised the demand of autonomy to Punjab within the Indian Union in terms of taxation. “The taxation regime in the country at present does not favour states. It is too centralised, which is against the spirit of federalism,” he added.

Both Gandhi and Brar said opium cultivation be legalised in the state. “Legalising opium cultivation in a controlled manner will solve the drug problem in Punjab as a ban on traditional drugs is resulting in widespread use of chemical drugs. The dependency on traditional drugs can also be reduced gradually,” he said.

Brar said they will start the second round of the rally in the Doaba region and they will get resolutions passed in panchayats for legalising opium cultivation in state.

Will join hands with Khaira in Punjab’s interest: Patiala MP

When asked how does he look at the upheaval in the AAP’s Punjab unit, Gandhi said sacked leader of opposition Sukhpal Khaira is raising the same issues in the party he had raised in 2015. “I will attend his (Khaira’s) Patiala district convention on September 9. He is talking sense by raising certain issues concerning Punjab and I am with him on this. His demand for organisational autonomy for the state unit is valid,” he said.

He said he will contest the 2019 parliamentary polls from Patiala even as an independent.

“Our ‘Punjab Manch’ will take the shape of a political party before the 2019 elections. We will float a viable regional third alternative in Punjab,” he added.

First Published: Sep 07, 2018 10:36 IST