Bhagwant Mann a compromise candidate for AAP: Sukhbir Badal

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 18

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said Bhgwant Mann is a compromise CM candidate for Punjab for the Aam Aadmi Party as no one was ready to lead the party in Punjab.

Terming the nomination of Mann a stage-managed non-event, the SAD President said Kejriwal never wanted to make Mann the face of the party in Punjab. “He has been saying this in Mann’s presence that the party is looking for a capable candidate. It is a fact that AAP sounded out a number of prospective candidates but they all refused to lead the party. This is why the responsibility has been thrust on Mann after a make-believe survey.”

Asserting that making Mann the face of the party reflected AAP’s bankruptcy, Badal said, “A desperate public relations exercise is under way to wash away Mann’s omissions and commissions and project him as a leader who can take on the mantle of the chief minister though his wayward behaviour is well-known.”

Badal also asked Kejriwal to tell Punjabis in whom they should repose their trust now.

“AAP has led a public campaign urging Punjabis to repose their trust in Kejriwal for more than a year. During the same period, Kejriwal has asserted that Mann is not capable of holding this post. Now when AAP has exhausted all options and chosen Mann to lead the party, it needs to explain why Punjabis should trust a leader who Kejriwal refused to endorse for more than a year.

“Kejriwal cannot take Punjabis to be so naive as to approve his rubber-stamped candidate. They need a strong and decisive leadership as well a leader with a proven track record of conducting swift development as well as ensuring law and order and communal harmony in this border state. Bhagwant Mann does not fit the bill,” Badal said.

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