In hIs fIrst ever interview with tehelka, punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh badal, tells gurvinder kaur that navjot singh sidhu’s new organisation will not affect the shiromani akali Dal (saD) vote bank. sukhbir is at his vitriolic best against Delhi Chief Minister arvind Kejriwal, who he says is an anarchist and dangerous for punjab.
He also accuses Kejriwal of hobnobbing with former naxals and radical sikh elements and asserts that he is asking the union home Ministry to verify all aap donations from abroad. he also avers that his father parkash singh badal will be the chief ministerial candidate and that the saD-bjp combine will form the government for the third time running in 2017.
Politics in Punjab is churning by the day and a new combination led by Navjot Sidhu is now emerging as a potent force. There is talk that since leaders of this new front Awaaz-e-Punjab were earlier aligned with the SAD-BJP combine, they will dent your votes.
See, there is always a mathematical calculation. This is the job of analysts. But as far as we are concerned, we believe in a more grounded reality. This is based on the pulse of the people. Mr Navjot Sidhu lost credibility after he first negotiated with AAP and then the Congress. Frustrated at not being appointed the chief ministerial candidate by AAP and not getting what he desired from the Congress, he has come out with this front. This front basically comprises of two professional agitationists — the Bains brothers (Simarjeet and Balwinder) whom no one wants to touch with a bargepole and Pargat Singh who, having lost touch with his constituents, has joined this group hoping for a revival of his fortunes. How can this band of disparate leaders make a dent in the SAD vote share which is broad-based and has stood the test of time? The 2017 elections will witness an increase in our vote share.
On what criteria do you base this assertion?
On performance alone. We have ushered in massive development in the last nine years. Be it making Punjab power surplus, new airports, massive road infrastructure spending money on rural development or improving facilities in towns and cities — we have done it all. We have catered to each and every section of society. People have witnessed a positive change and will reciprocate appropriately at the hustings.
This story is from the September 30 2016 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 30 2016 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
UP's Finances Make Yogi Walk A Tight Rope
The government machinery is trying to deliver its best due to meagre financial resources.
Wooing With Farm Waivers
Taking a cue from Uttar Pradesh, more state governments including Maharashtra and Punjab could waive offloans to farmers to woo rural voters in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
Punjab CM's Unwelcoming Sajjan Wasn't A Kind Gesture
Amarinder shoots himself in the foot by refusing to meet Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, who met Haryana CM and promised to increase bilateral businesses and also talked to SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar.
