Chhotepur extended support for fourth political front: Gandhi

Chandigarh, Sep 25: Suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi took today potshots at Navjot Singh Sidhu's Awaaz-e-Punjab for deciding against forming a political party, but claimed AAP's ex-Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur has extended support to his "regional political front".

Informing that Bains brothers - Simarjit and Balwinder, who are part of Awaaz-e-Punjab, were invited to the meeting but did not come, Gandhi said he did not invite Sidhu as he was not "available".

Representatives of Chhotepur and rebel Akali MLA Pargat Singh attended the round-table conference of "pro-Punjab" personalities and leaders held by Gandhi for formation of a fourth regional political front, which he had announced last month.

Through this platform, like-minded parties will jointly fight the Punjab assembly elections next year. To a question on whether this front will support Awaaz-e-Punjab, Gandhi said, "Where is Awaaz-e-Punjab? They have banded and disbanded themselves. They no more exist. Sidhu said that he is not going to form a party. Nothing concrete has come from him."

"I do not think they are serious on this. When they talk concretely on our political agenda then we will see, let them come forward. Chhotepur sent his representatives and he will be the part of this grand platform," he said.

Asked whether Pargat Singh attended the meeting as a representative of Awaaz-e-Punjab, Gandhi said, "Pargat Singh also came. But he came as Pargat Singh." Representatives of Swaraj Party Punjab, Apna Punjab Party, Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Party Punjab, Amritsar Volunteer Group, Bahujan Sangharsh Dal, Bahujan Samaj Sangthan also attended in the meeting, he said.

"A manifesto committee will be formed soon to give final shape to the front. We are hopeful that through this platform the parties will fight the election jointly and for this modalities are being worked out," the suspended AAP MP said, but ruled out the possibility of him contesting in the polls.

Asked as to why not this front form a political outfit, representative of Swaraj Party Punjab, Manjit Singh said, "It is difficult for small parties to amalgamate into one. That is why as a contingent plan we will have a political front." Former Akali MLA Harish Dhanda was also present in the meeting and said that he was not here for contesting the polls.

PTI