SANGRUR, Punjab—Accepting the challenge posed by Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, Vikram Singh Dhanaula who hurled shoe toward Punjab chief minister Parkash Badal, has officially filed nomination papers to contest the Dhuri by-elections as independent candidate.
Dhanaula who become ‘Amritdhari’ few months ago, had hurled shoe at Badal in a state level function protesting against his anti-people policies that left the state in poor condition. Finding the Sikh ideology as best one for bringing pro-people revolution in Punjab, he took ‘Amrit’ from Panj Pyaras at Sri Akal Takht Sahib after the incident. He also sat on hunger strike at Jantar-Mantar (New Delhi) for around two months seeking justice for victims of Sikh genocide of 1984.
In a status posted by him on his Facebook account, he said, “Some days ago, Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Badal had dared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to contest Dhuri polls, but latter refused to contest the poll. I accept the challenge posed by Sukhbir Badal as ‘Aam Aadmi’. I dare Sukhbir Badal to field his own family member against me.” He appealed the people to accompany him in struggle against cruel system.
Since his announcement of contesting the elections, Vikram Singh’s Facebook wall has been filled with comments by people asking him to support the Shiromani Akali Dal (A) contestant instead. People have tried to reason that contesting from Dhuri will indirectly help Akali Dal (B), and votes between Vikram Singh and Surjit Singh Kalabula (Mann candidate) will be divided.
