Punjab: Anil Joshi aides’ ‘meeting’ with SAD leader sets rumour mills abuzz

AMRITSAR: Rumours of BJP MLA Anil Joshi’s associates meeting a senior Akali leader over the possibility of him joining the SAD and contesting elections from a “safe and suitable” constituency did the rounds on Monday. Incidentally, Joshi also skipped the core committee meeting of the state BJP held here on Sunday.
Sources said the meeting was held in Amritsar, where, if he joins SAD, he may be fielded from Tarn Taran, to which he belongs and where he started his political career. “The situation is not very favourable for Joshi in the BJP since he not only censured the Central leadership but also gave an ultimatum of 15 days,” sources said.
When contacted, Joshi said these were just rumours spread by those who “were scared of his influence and the developmental work carried out by him in Amritsar-North assembly constituency.”
Earlier, it was rumored that Joshi would contest on SAD ticket from Amritsar North constituency and when they gave North seat to BSP, it was now being rumoured that he would be given ticket from Tarn Taran, he said.
“Why would I go to Tarn Taran? I live in Amritsar, my family and my constituency is in Amritsar,” he said.
When asked whether he would contest the 2022 assembly elections on BJP ticket, Joshi said, “Let the party first make a conducive atmosphere for elections, I am not keen to contest elections but to save BJP.”
Amritsar BJP president Suresh Mahajan said, “Yes, I have heard the rumors but these are just rumors and there is no evidence so far.” However, he said that the party had invited Joshi to attend the state core committee meeting chaired by state BJP president Ashwani Sharma on Sunday but he didn’t come.
SAD spokesman Daljeet Cheema denied having any information about the meeting.
Another BJP leader from Majha who didn’t wish to be named also dismissed the possibility of Joshi leaving the BJP and joining some other political party. “As far as I know Joshi, he is a staunch member of the Sangh Parivar and can’t leave BJP. Maybe he has some difference of opinion over the farmers issue,” he said. He added that Joshi’s outburst, which came after almost an year of the farmers’ agitation and at a time when parties were distributing tickets to their candidates, was surprising.