Brahmpura’s power show against Sukhbir today
Will corner SAD chief, Majithia, seek their resignation
: Veteran Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who has stepped down from all party posts, is all set to corner party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia during his show of strength at the historic Chohla Sahib village in Tarn Taran district on Sunday.
The move is likely to throw a spanner in Sukhbir’s attempts to ameliorate the crisis in the party.
Brahmpura, former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala and ex-minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan had raised a banner of revolt against Sukhbir and had boycotted the SAD’s Patiala rally on October 7. Later, Brahmpura resigned as SAD’s senior vice-president and core panel member on October 23.
Talking to HT, Brahmpura said: “November 4 gathering will turn into a huge congregation and will demand resignation of Sukhbir and Majithia.”
“Sukhbir and Majithia’s ouster is must for the Akali Dal’s survival and party leaders should anonymously take decision to show them the door. Both the leaders are responsible for the Behbal Kalan firing and sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib,” said Brahmpura.
He said though he has resigned from all party posts, but he still is the member of the SAD and wants to strengthen it. “The Chohla Sahib congregation is the first step in this direction,” added Brahmpura.
When asked if former minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan and former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala will also take part in the congregation, Brahmpura said: “No leader and worker from outside the Khadoor Sahib constituency will attend the event. We want to show that people are still with the Brahmpura family.”
Brahmpura has deployed his son Ravinder Singh, former Khadoor Sahib MLA, to mobilise crowd for the congregation. “We will give reasons for my father’s resignation from party posts during the congregation. My father will share his feelings with the workers. People who respect Guru Granth Sahib will come to attend the rally in huge numbers,” said Ravinder.
He said they will continue to hold such events the constituency till Sukhbir and Majithia tender their resignations or are ousted from the party. “We also demand strict action against those responsible for October 2015 Behbal Kalan firing and sacrilege incidents,” said Ravinder.
Hitting out at Brahmpura, Congress MLA from Khadoor Sahib Ramanjit Singh Sikki reminded the veteran leader when he praised Sukhbir after getting the party ticket for his son in the 2015 byelection. He held Brahmpura responsible for allowing people like Badals to exploit the Panthic sentiments for personal gains.
MOVE IS LIKELY TO THROW A SPANNER IN SUKHBIR’S ATTEMPTS TO AMELIORATE THE CRISIS IN THE PARTY