Akali Dal divided in Patiala; pretends to fight 2022 elections unitedly
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
“With the announcement of Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha candidature from Patiala (Rural), shiromani akali dal has sent a message amongst its party workers that anyone, party worker who is working for the party can get a party ticket “ said former cabinet minister Surjit Singh Rakhra.
Patiala (rural) candidate Bittu Chatha along with Surjit Singh Rakhra, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, SAD Amloh candidate Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna and party workers today paid obeisance at Gurudwara Dukhniwaran sahib after the announcement of his candidature.
In today’s event no other local shiromani akali dal local leader came to attend the program. All former mayors –Vishnu Sharma, Ajitpal singh Kohli, Amarainder Bazaz, Jaspal Pardhan, Khatra group were conspicuous by their absence. Even former municipal councilors were not present in the event.
Shiromani akali dal Patiala is divided into many groups. It has Rakhra group, Chandumajra group, Kohli group, Bazaz group, Juneja group and others.
When contacted Ajitpal Singh Kohli, for not attending the event, he said “ I had already congratulated Bittu Chatha, yesterday itself. My father is not feeling well. Today at 11 am we had a tele conference with the PGI doctors. Also Patiala (rural) is not my area. I am from Patiala (urban). I’ll personally go to his house and congratulate him.”
When contacted Patiala (Urban) candidate Harpal Juneja, who left the venue in a hush, he did not respond to the telephone call.
When contacted former akali dal mayor Amarinder Singh Bazaz, he also did not respond to the telephone calls.
On the other hand Surjit Singh Rakhra said “our senior leader from Patiala and former SGPC president Kirpal singh Badungar has personally came to attend the event and he is representing the shiromani akali dal leadership of Patiala.”
Surjit Singh Rakhra played a key role in allotting Bittu Chatha a party ticket. Bittu Chatha is a two time municipal councilor from ward number 13. His wife also remained municipal councilor for one term.
Former akali dal municipal councilor Sukhminderpal Singh Minta, who is also a hot contender for the party ticket. Yesterday he organized a rally in his ward to show his strength. Thousands of akali dal workers attended the rally. But, the party announced Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha candidature from Patiala (Rural).
Presently the area is represented by congress MLA Brahm Mohindra in the Punjab vidhan sabha. Mohindra defeated SAD candidate Satbir Singh Khatra.
This time Satbir Singh Khtra has withdrawn his name, due to personal reasons.
Navember 14,2021
