Kaka puts up a grand show
Thursday, 22/12/2011
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111222/punjab.htm#1
Capt Amarinder keeps flock together as ticket aspirants also welcome Kaka into the party Showers praise on Kaka & his supporters, saying the party stood stronger in the area
Thousands of supporters of rebel Akali leader and SGPC member Sukhjit Singh Kaka, including sarpanches and panches of several villages, attended an impressive public rally at Lohgarh, Kaka’s native village, in Moga district on Wednesday.
The rally was addreesed by PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh.The mood of the supporters was upbeat with local leaders, including aspirants for the party ticket, welcoming Kaka into the party fold.
President of Mahila Congress Dr Malti Thapar, considered a strong claimant for the party ticket, welcoming Kaka into the party, claimed that the Congress stood strengthened with Kaka’s inclusion.
Other ticket claimants Manjit Mann and Harpreet Hero, both youth leaders, also welcomed Kaka into the party along with district president Jagdarshan Kaur, Moga legislator Joginder Pal Jain, Baghapurana MLA Darshan Singh Brar, Ajit Singh Shant, Naresh Kataria and Joginder Singh Panjgrain.
Capt Amarinder said the High Court verdict restoring voting rights of Sehajdhari Sikhs for the SGPC elections should be an eye-opener for the Akalis who should stop practicing sectarian politics for narrow ends.
Observers say Capt Amarinder has managed to keep his flock together. Welcoming Kaka and his supporters into the party, the PPCC president said the party would be further strengthened in the area.
He thanked Kaka’s supporters for reposing faith in the Congress.
Although Amarinder did not give any indication on allotting the party ticket to Kaka, supporters of rebel Akali leader appear confidant of the same. Gurlal Singh, sarpanch of Mehal village, said:“We are confidant that Kaka will get the party ticket because he is a down-to-earth person and has the ability to take the people with him.”
Kaka said his family had been with the Akalis for generations but Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had let him down to please a few local SAD leaders, leaving him no option but to contest the SGPC elections as an Independent candidate. Kaka won despite opposition by Akali jathedar Tota Singh and the CM canvassing for his rival.
