Taksalis extend support to Gandhi

Patiala

Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) general secretary Sewa Singh Sekhwan today extended support to Dr Dharamvira Gandhi but said the latter’s opinion on opium and poppy husk cultivation was his personal matter.

The former Punjab minister said a third front would be established in Punjab after the General Election.

Sewa Singh Sekhwan said the SAD (Taksali) had decided to extend support to candidates on various seats in the state and added that Dr Gandhi had worked for the benefit of the people. “We have decided to support those candidates who are working for the rights of people as we have imbibed the constitution drafted at the time of the formation of the Akali Dal in 1920. We will extend support to contestants of political parties other than the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal wherever we feel like,” he said.

He said his party did not, however, agree upon Dr Gandhi’s demand of legalising opium and poppy husk cultivation and added, “It is his personal matter. We support him on the basis of his ideology and past record. We appeal to people to vote for Dr Gandhi.”

Dr Gandhi said the support from the SAD (Taksali) would help him win the seat as leaders of the Congress and SAD were already scared of his rising support. “I have raised the matters of the people in Parliament and worked toward equality of people of all religions. I am sure they will support me,” he said.

Responding to the Congress’ claim that a member of the Nawan Punjab Party, Manjit Kaur, had joined it on Friday, Dr Gandhi said his party (Nawan Punjab Party) had not made the party’s structure. “Manjit Kaur should show me her membership documents. We have not even made the party’s structure. She is not a member or office-bearer of our party.”