Punjab: Congress vigorously promotes secularism in the Panthic region
Punjab: The Congress on Monday urged voters in Tarn Taran to choose secularism over divisive politics in the November 11 assembly by-election. The Congress expressed concern about attempts to polarize the religious sentiments of the BJP and an organization led by jailed pro-Khalistan MP Amritpal Singh. The party also accused the Sukhbir Badal-led SAD of promoting gangsters. This concern comes amid fears that if rival parties succeed in creating religious polarization, it could also divide the secular vote, which could prove detrimental to the party that last won the seat in the 2017 state elections. The Election Commission announced the by-election on Monday, with political parties in the state bracing for a multi-cornered contest in the Panthic constituency. The death of ruling AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal has necessitated the election. Targeting rivals, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that fundamentalists, especially those associated with the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), have been exposed. Referring to SAD candidate Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, he alleged that the party was promoting “gangster culture.” Accusing the SAD candidate of having links with a gangster, the Ludhiana MP said voters must choose between a secular party and parties that support extremists or gangsters.
Continuing on the issue, Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh accused the BJP-led central government of ignoring key Sikh issues, including the release of Bandi Singhs, Sikh prisoners who remain in jail despite completing their sentences. He alleged, “The BJP wants to keep this issue alive as part of its divisive politics.” Referring to the extremist factor in the by-election, the Kapurthala MLA said the Amritpal Singh-led Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) cannot be ignored. Rana’s comments come after reports that the Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale) is persuading Sandeep Singh, alias Sunny, an accused in the Patiala jail massacre, to contest the by-election in 2022. Sunny is in jail for the murder of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri and was recently accused of murdering a fellow jail inmate, former Inspector Suba Singh, on September 10. Meanwhile, Amritpal’s party is trying to persuade Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the widow of slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Rana claimed, “With the intention of polarizing votes, the BJP is inciting fundamentalists. This will be exposed in the by-election and the 2027 assembly elections.” He also said that the Congress is in a good position because senior party leader Sukhbinder Sukh Sarkaria has been appointed election in-charge.
