Out of contention, Gen JJ Singh PEPS up Khalra’s campaign

My objective of fighting election was same as of Khalra. So, I thought we should not contest against each other and withdrew. I will appeal to all ex-servicemen voters of the constituency to vote for Khalra. JJ SINGH, former Army chief

AMRITSAR: Two days after being dropped as Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) candidate from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha segment, former Army chief general JJ Singh (retired) has started campaigning for the Punjab Ekta Party (PEP)’S candidate Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the widow of human rights activist late Jaswant Singh Khalra.

On Sunday, SAD (Taksali) president Ranjit Singh Brahmpura had withdrawn JJ Singh’s candidature in support of Paramjit Kaur Khalra.

A government employee, her husband Jaswant Singh was abducted from his home and killed by Punjab Police officers in 1995. He had accused the Punjab Police of cremating unidentified bodies of Sikh men killed in fake encounters. Four police officers were sentenced for life term in 2007 for the murder of Jaswant.

On Tuesday, Gen JJ Singh attended two meetings organised by PEP workers at Marimegha and Darajke villages in Tarn Taran district and appealed to the people to vote for Khalra. “My objective of fighting the election was same as of the Khalra. So, I thought we should not contest against each other and withdrew. I will also appeal to all the ex-servicemen voters of the constituency to vote for Khalra as no one is more capable a candidate than she is,” said JJ Singh, while addressing a meeting in Marimegha village that falls under Khemkaran assembly segment.

“SAD and Congress are the two sides of a coin. Both the parties have been befooling people for the last 70 years. This time, people of Khadoor Sahib should reject both the parties. Khalra, who laid down his life fighting for human rights, should win from this seat so that her voice is heard in the Parliament,” he said.