:dateline:Even though name of Ramanjit Singh Sikki has been announced as the Congress candidate for Khadoor Sahib by-poll, political parties are yet to gear their campaigns.
Even after 12 days since issuing of election commission�s notification for Khadoor Sahib bypoll, no poster and banners are seen displayed, nor are flags being distributed among people. Noise of mobile loud speakers is also not here to be heard. The sky is not being echoed by the slogans in favour of candidates.
In addition, even after four days of nominations, no candidate has filed papers so far. Ruling SAD (Badal) candidate Ravinder Brahmpura and independent candidate Sumel Singh Sidhu (former state convener of Aam Aadmi Party )�are filling nomination papers on January 25. Whereas, another AAP dissident and gurbani exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh will do so on January 27. Name of Ramanjit Singh Sikki was announced on Saturday and he would probably file the nomination on January 27 as well.
SAD (B) has no idea, relationship with the ideals, vision of Guru Nanak: Bhai Baldeep Singh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dissident Bhai Baldeep Singh who is contesting the bypoll as an independent candidate, today stated that Khadoor Sahib has an extraordinary association with Guru Nanak�s ideas about politics, sainthood and leadership but ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is not aware of this ideas.
�By nominating Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, the son of Khadoor Sahib sitting MP, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Shiromani Akali Dal has proven that it has no idea or any relationship with the ideals and vision of Guru Nanak. The party has yet again succumbed to the nepotistic urge…� he said.
Hitting back at the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann who made a comment on Friday, he said, �It is disappointing to read the statement of one of Punjab�s respected and illustrious community elders, Sardar Simranjeet Singh Mann accusing me of being�a Delhite and claim that I am perhaps not versed with ground reality of Punjab, in general, and Khadoor Sahib, in particular.�
�I will be very happy to debate with him, so that for once and for all it may be known how much of socio-cultural and socio-political Gur-Sikh assets and heritage has either of us harnessed for Punjabi�s generation to come. I am inviting every one interested in the battle of reviving Punjab the Punjabi way to take on the ruling SAD (B) and converge at Khadoor Sahib.�
Sumel Singh Sidhu and Bhai Baldeep Singh urgently need to combine forces so as not to split the AAP vote as the Akali BaDal, BJP and Congress are conniving together as all three have the same exact purpose – to undermine Sikh aspiration in Punjab where it might give moral inspiration to others in India similarly repressed and needing genuine representation.