Merger of like-minded leaders, parties soon: Patiala MP Gandhi

Like-minded leaders and parties in Punjab who “have the interests of the state at their heart” will soon announce their merger, claimed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rebel and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi on Thursday.

Talking to HT, the Punjab Manch leader said such parties held the first round of talks recently wherein Punjab Manch, Lok Insaf Party (LIP) leaders, led by Ludhiana MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains, and AAP rebels participated. He added, “We shall hold a joint press meet and announce the merger of those parties in Punjab who have the interests of the state at their heart and unanimity on issues relating to more autonomy to states, water and language.”

He said, “We shared the Punjab Manch declaration with AAP rebels and asked them to draft their policy including the politi with them even if their policy is different from ours, but they share our vision for a progressive democratic Punjab in a federal India.”

Gandhi also said that talks are already on with Sucha Singh Chhotepur, president of Aapna Punjab Party (APP) and former state minister. “We are also in touch with Jagmeet Singh Brar, the former Congress leader from Faridkot,” he said.

When contacted, LIP MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains confirmed that his party had talks with Gandhi’s Punjab Manch, which is fighting for ‘Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat’

He added,“Now is the time for those fighting for the interests and welfare of Punjabis to come together.”

The presence of AAP rebel MLAs, led by Sukhpal Khaira, including Kanwar Sandhu, Jagdev Singh Kamalu and Master Baldev Singh, at a recent convention held by Gandhi reflected the emerging proximity among