Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, September 9
In the first murmurs of dissent within the SAD after the seat swap with the ally BSP, senior Akali leader Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh today said she would contest as an Independent from the Sham Chaurasi seat if need be. She is also planning a rally of party workers in the segment on September 13.
The SAD’s decision to hand over the Sham Chaurasi and Kapurthala Assembly seats to the BSP hasn’t gone down well with Akali workers, with some saying the party has handed the seats to the Congress on a platter. Prospective SAD candidates in both the constituencies expressed shock at the abrupt decision.
The Congress won both the seats in 2017 Assembly elections. The BSP came fourth on both the seats, receiving only 1,115 and 8,009 votes at Kapurthala and Sham Chaurasi, respectively. The SAD came in second and third on the two seats.
No discussion held
We are shocked to hear the decision. There was no intimation from any senior leader. There is angst among party workers. If need be, I will contest as an Independent from the Sham Chaurasi seat. —Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh, SAD leader
I’m disturbed
I was asked by the party to shift my base from Jalandhar Cantt to Kapurthala. I and my family are disturbed by the decision. I will now focus on my business which I have ignored for 4 years. —H S Walia, SAD leader
Speaking to The Tribune, Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh, who won the Sham Chaurasi seat in 1998, 2007 and 2012, said: “We are shocked to hear the decision. There was no intimation from any senior leader. There is angst among my workers.”
Meanwhile, in Kapurthala, Akali leaders Paramjit Singh Pamma and HS Walia had been eyeing the seat. Walia had been sticking his posters across streets. Walia, who was earlier with AAP, joined the SAD in 2018. While Walia objected to the party’s decision, Pamma supported it.
SAD leaders upset over seat-swapping
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