The state Congress leaders held a meeting and strongly opposed any coalition with the ruling party in Punjab for the general elections.
Published Sep 06, 2023 | 12:44 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 06, 2023 | 12:44 PM
The meeting organised by Punjab Congress. (X)
Putting an end to the speculations of an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress leaders in Punjab on Tuesday, 5 September, denied any possibility of the same.
The political circles were abuzz with alliance reports after Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the AAP would contest the parliamentary polls in the state in alliance with the Congress “in order to save the country”.
In response, the state Congress leaders and public representatives held a meeting on Tuesday in Chandigarh and strongly opposed any coalition with the ruling party in Punjab for the general elections.
There are a total of 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab, besides that of Chandigarh. Presently, the Congress has six MPs from Punjab and all of them reportedly voted against the alliance. It may be noted that the Congress lost to the AAP in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-poll, which was held by the party since 1999.
According to Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Amarinder Raja Warring, state leaders expressed their resentment to any alliance with the AAP and sought to convey their concerns to the party high command.
“The leaders fear any coalition will only result in the revival of the Akali Dal and thus opposed it. They were of the opinion that their role as the principal Opposition party would come to an end with this alliance,” said the PPCC chief.
“The same will be communicated to party high command in the Congress Working Committee meeting to be held in Hyderabad on 16 September,” he added.
Reacting to the state Congress’ reaction over forging an alliance with the AAP, Harpal Cheema said that it was a decision to be taken by party high command at the national level.
“The reaction of the Punjab unit does not mean anything because the national leadership have decided to contest the elections together. Brushing aside our differences, we are fighting together to stop the BJP from succeeding in its efforts to silence all Opposition in the country, which is very dangerous for our democracy,” said Cheema.
Senior AAP leader and chief spokesperson of Punjab, Malvinder Singh Kang told South First: “The key agenda right now is keeping the BJP away from power. The coalition decision for both parties will be taken at the central high-command level. The AAP, in its brief tenure, has made a considerable difference to the lives of people in Punjab and our work will be our asset in any elections”.
