Chandigarh: Former Congress leader and ex-lawmaker Jagmeet Singh Brar today announced that he will extend "unconditional" support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab after forming an "issue-based alliance" with the party.
Describing AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal as "messiah on the country's political landscape", he said his front 'Lokhit Abhiyan' will give unconditional support to the party in the state.
"This is an alliance on Punjab's issues with AAP. There is no condition from my side whatsoever like position or anything.
The only issue is that Punjab's vote should not be divided," Mr Brar, who was expelled from Congress in April, said.
Workers of Lokhit Abhiyan will support the AAP in order to defeat Congress and SAD-BJP combine in coming Punjab polls, he said.
The former lawmaker clarified that it was an alliance and he was not joining AAP.
Asked whether he will contest Punjab polls, Mr Brar said he would leave the decision to the leadership of AAP. "Whatever decision AAP takes regarding elections, that will be obeyed," he said.
Speaking on this occasion, AAP's in-charge of Punjab affairs Sanjay Singh said traditionally, political parties enter into alliance and take decision on seat sharing, position etc.
"But in this case, this alliance is based on issues and it is not a political alliance. It is an issue-based alliance," he said, adding that their main motive is to "save Punjab".
"In past few days, there was talk about fourth front. People also tried to contact him (Brar) in connection with fourth front but he wanted to fight against Badals, corruption, drug issue and for farmers' interest," the AAP leader said.
Praising Mr Brar, Mr Singh said he was one of the tallest leaders in Punjab and had been a member of Congress Working Committee and had even once defeated Sukhbir Badal in Lok Sabha elections.
"He has always worked for poor and raised voice in support of youth," Mr Singh said.
On this occasion, AAP's co-incharge of Punjab Jarnail Singh, Sangrur lawmaker Bhagwant Mann, party's Punjab Convenor Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, Head of legal cell Himmat Singh Shergill were also present.
Mr Brar was expelled from Congress on April 11 for his statements against the interests of the organisation.
After the party's defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he had suggested that Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi go on a sabbatical to introspect on the reasons for the party's worst performance in the elections.
Mr Brar, after his expulsion from Congress, attacked the ruling Badals and Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh terming them "traitors of Punjab".
The former Lok Sabha lawmaker from Faridkot in Punjab had defeated Sukhbir Badal in 1999. Mr Badal had won the same constituency defeating Mr Brar in 2004.
Mr Brar had also created a flutter in January when he praised Arvind Kejriwal's show at Muktsar, insisting that there was never such a "huge rally" in the poll-bound state.
Describing AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal as "messiah on the country's political landscape", he said his front 'Lokhit Abhiyan' will give unconditional support to the party in the state.
"This is an alliance on Punjab's issues with AAP. There is no condition from my side whatsoever like position or anything.
Workers of Lokhit Abhiyan will support the AAP in order to defeat Congress and SAD-BJP combine in coming Punjab polls, he said.
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Asked whether he will contest Punjab polls, Mr Brar said he would leave the decision to the leadership of AAP. "Whatever decision AAP takes regarding elections, that will be obeyed," he said.
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"But in this case, this alliance is based on issues and it is not a political alliance. It is an issue-based alliance," he said, adding that their main motive is to "save Punjab".
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Praising Mr Brar, Mr Singh said he was one of the tallest leaders in Punjab and had been a member of Congress Working Committee and had even once defeated Sukhbir Badal in Lok Sabha elections.
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On this occasion, AAP's co-incharge of Punjab Jarnail Singh, Sangrur lawmaker Bhagwant Mann, party's Punjab Convenor Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, Head of legal cell Himmat Singh Shergill were also present.
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After the party's defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he had suggested that Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi go on a sabbatical to introspect on the reasons for the party's worst performance in the elections.
Mr Brar, after his expulsion from Congress, attacked the ruling Badals and Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh terming them "traitors of Punjab".
The former Lok Sabha lawmaker from Faridkot in Punjab had defeated Sukhbir Badal in 1999. Mr Badal had won the same constituency defeating Mr Brar in 2004.
Mr Brar had also created a flutter in January when he praised Arvind Kejriwal's show at Muktsar, insisting that there was never such a "huge rally" in the poll-bound state.
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