Maya rally today, PDA buoyant

Jalandhar

The Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA), with the BSP as one of its seven partners, is expecting a boost in its campaign with the visit of BSP chief Mayawati at Nawanshahr tomorrow.

With an active participation of the BSP and the communist parties, the organisers of the rally are expecting a sizable gathering, especially of three strong forces — Dalits, Left and peasantry — from across the state.

All 13 candidates of the PDA, including three presidents of the constituent parties — Sukhpal Khaira (Bathinda) from the Punjab Ekta Party, Dharamvira Gandhi (Patiala) from the Nawan Punjab Party and Simarjeet Bains (Ludhiana) from the Lok Insaaf Party — will be present.

Communist leaders, including Mangat Ram Pasla from the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India, Bant Brar from the CPI and Kiranjit Singh Sekhon from the MCPI (U), too, will be on the stage.

The BSP is contesting in an alliance after a long time in Punjab and is focussing only on three of 13 seats – Anandpur Sahib (of which Nawanshahr is a part), Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur.

Mangat Ram Pasla said, “The rally will surely give a good impetus to our ongoing campaign. The main issues which all partners will pick will include fight against drugs, Bargari episode, river waters and more power to the state.”

Dharamvira Gandhi said, “Since the AAP is nowhere in the picture, the PDA has emerged as the alternative during these elections. Whoever the regional parties back as the leader of this alternative, be it Mayawati, I will stand with that.”

Nachattar Pal, state general secretary, BSP, said, “The BSP is steadily gaining and there is a major change since 2014. People are showing interest in party activities. The coming of Mayawati will only boost this.”