In Moga, saffron party holding talks with rebel Akali candidates

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, February 17

The local BJP leadership has reportedly started secret talks with rebel Akali candidates in Moga who have been expelled from the party. They are fighting as Independents. The SAD leadership has made it clear that these rebels will not be taken back into the party fold.

A victory is their only hope for political survival. The BJP, that has the backing of former DGP Paramdip Singh Gill, is eying the post of Mayor. It can succeed only if Independents win and later join the saffron party.

The BJP is contesting 17 of the total 50 seats. Even if the party wins all seats, it would require the support of at least nine Independents to ensure majority. Insiders say Gill is in touch with 12 Independents who are posing a serious challenge to SAD candidates.

The BJP is keeping an eye on former councillors Kuldip Singh Ahluwalia (Ward No. 3), Nand Lal Kukki (Ward No. 4), Manjit Singh Dhammu (Ward No. 12), Prem Kumar Mahna (Ward No. 21), Lakhpat Rai (Ward No. 23), former sarpanch of Duneke village Jarnail Singh Duneke (Ward No. 45) and Vaid Pritam Singh (Ward No. 48). They are fighting as Independents.

The BJP has reportedly approached SAD rebel Devinder Singh Rania (Ward No. 7) and Kirpal Singh (Ward No. 50), son of former MP Kewal Singh. The ongoing tussle between local MLA Joginder Pal Jain and Agriculture Minister Tota Singh is bound to affect SAD prospects .

The SAD has expelled rebel candidates Gurmeet Kaur, Surinder Pal Sharma, Amrik Kaur, Gursewak Singh, Harbans Kaur, Ranjit Sharma, Vijay Bhushan, Baljit Kaur, Hardev Singh, Gurmail Singh, Angrej Singh, Sukhdip Singh, Mandip Kaur and Gurdarshan Singh.

Some Independents are in touch with Tota Singh’s son Barjinder Singh Brar, who is Chairman of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. Brar also has a good following in the city. His aide, former councillor Gurminder Jeet Singh, alias Bablu, who is contesting from Ward No. 38, is eying the Mayor’s post.

Sources say Brar and Bablu too are in touch with a few Independents who are contesting in wards where Jain’s confidants are in the fray. The Mayor’s post has become a prestigious issue for both the SAD and the BJP. Stakes are high for former DGP Gill whose political survival depends on strengthening the BJP.