Bhagwant Mann fails to turn up at rally

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 7

In a major embarrassment for the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at the local level, Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann failed to turn up at a political rally organised in support of party candidate from Amritsar (West) constituency from where Balwinder Singh Sahota, a software engineer, is contesting as the party candidate.

The crowd had gathered opposite Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) since 4 pm in the afternoon braving chilly winds and severe cold conditions. They had to return dejected while a large number of chairs remained vacant.

Finally, the leaders speaking from the stage announced that Bhagwant Mann was not coming. The crowd had started leaving when no prominent leader from the party turned up till 6 pm.

Speaking over the issue, Sahota said Mann was to arrive from Gurdaspur where he was to address another political rally. He said due to inclement weather conditions, his programme got delayed and finally he could not arrive. He claimed that there was no resentment among the people because of this and that the people are connected to a party and not a particular leader.

It is pertinent to mention here that a similar situation occurred in the Attari constituency a few days ago when Bhagwant Mann did not turn up to address the crowd that was eagerly waiting for him. He cancelled his programme abruptly. Prior to this, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was to address the rally and people had to return disappointed.