Rift wide open in PDA over Bir Devinder’s candidature from Anandpur Sahib seat

SAD (Taksali) nominee faces opposition from Lok Insaaf Party president Simarjeet Bains and Punjabi Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira, both of whom support BSP’s claim over the seat

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) announcement to field former Punjab assembly deputy speaker Devinder Singh as party candidate from Anandpur sahib has caused a rift in the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA).

Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) president Simarjeet Singh Bains, MLA from Atam Nagar constituency in Ludhiana, said, “By declaring their candidate without holding discussions among the alliance partners, the SAD (Taksali) has indicated that it wants to run an independent show.”

Bir Devinder’s candidature was announced by SAD (Taksali) president Ranjit Singh Brahmpura here on Monday.

Talking to HT, Brahmpura said Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) wants to field its candidate on Anandpur and is also demanding Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Ferozpur seats.

“How can they (BSP) ask for four of the 13 seats in the state, as they have been getting only 2-3% vote share in the past elections?” he asked. It is leant that Brahmpura succumbed to pressure from Bir Devinder to announce him as party candidate from Anandpur Sahib.

However, Brahmpura claimed that PDA partners had met a week ago, and an understanding was reached that the BSP would not contest the Anandpur Sahib constituency. “So we announced our candidate,” he said, adding he did want to break the alliance and was open to discussions.

KHAIRA, BAINS SUPPORT BSP’S CLAIM OVER SEAT

Talking to HT, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, president of Punjabi Ekta Party, said he supports BSP’s claims over Anandpur Sahib seat, but doesn’t want to break the alliance. “We have requested Brahmpura to put the decision on hold.”

Bains said, “Both SAD (Taksali) and BSP were claiming Anandpur Sahib seat. I will support BSP as it is a primary member of the alliance.”

He regretted that the announcement regarding Bir Devinder was made despite a collective decision of PDA that the alliance will select the candidates after discussing their relative strengths. Bains said he had warned Khaira that SAD (Taksali) has vested interests.

Jassi Jasraj, who was Aam Aadmi party (AAP) candidate from Bathinda in 2014 polls, is reportedly planning to join the BSP.

His name was considered among alliance partners for Anandpur Sahib seat, said some leaders, seeking anonymity.

Jasraj, they said, has reportedly staked claim over the seat saying that there are 3.5 lakh voters of the Saini community to which he belongs.

When contacted, he said, “In the given scenario, I am indecisive over the issue.”

Reacting to the opposition to Bir Devinder’s candidature, Brahmpura said, “SAD (Taksali) will contest the Anandpur Sahib seat whether we remain in the alliance or not.”

Bir Devinder, who launched his poll campaign in the constituency on Tuesday, said, “I am senior vice-president of SAD (Taksali) and Anandpur Sahib is a non-negotiable seat for our party.”

He added, “When Khaira announced himself as candidate from Bathinda, Dharamvira Gandhi from Patiala and Bains from Ludhiana, what’s wrong if SAD (Taksali) has announced its candidate from Anandpur Sahib?”