CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Shortly after becoming the Aam Aadmi Party State Convenor in Punjab, Gurpreet Ghuggi has launched a strong offensive against the Akali Dal. Speaking out against current Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal, Ghuggi stated that Badal was always exploiting the state masses and playing with their emotions. “Badal family has always cooked bread and butter on emotive issue of Punjab. Both Akali Dal and Congress are expert in highlighting the emotive issues of Punjab during elections to get votes,” Ghuggi said on September 5.
Claiming the pro-Punjab stance of AAP, the comedian turned politician Gurpreet Ghuggi said that AAP will work tooth and nail to defend the state rights on issues like river waters, Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas.
Commenting on the announcement of launching fourth political front by Navjot Sidhu and Pargat Singh, Ghuggi said that if needed he will go to them with folded hands to urge them to join AAP. He expressed hope that the BJP rebel Navjot Sidhu and Akali Dal rebellion legislator Pargat Singh won’t hamper the momentum built against ruling Akali Dal in Punjab.
Talking about his predecessor Sucha singh Chhotepur, who was sacked last month by the AAP leadership, Ghuggi said that Chhotepur should appear before the committee constituted to probe in his case so that he can prove his innocence.
Ruling out any possibility of his connection with a Nirankari sect, Ghuggi said that he only bows his head before Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Clarifying the scene of attending a Nirankari function, Ghuggi said that he had gone there to attend bhog of his friend actor Vivek Shauq. “Can’t I attend last rites of my friends?” he questioned. Notably, Ghuggi is under fire of Sikh bodies after a video of him attending Nirankari function had surfaced online.
Defending MP Bhagwant Mann on the issue of misbehaving with media, Ghuggi said that Mann has been interacting with media since 30 years and no such incident was noticed till now. “Bhagwant Mann has clarified that he is not against all media, but certain individuals misbehaved with him. We will resolve the issue soon,” he added.
Refuting the allegations of promoting non-Punjabi leaders being leveled by opponents on AAP, Ghuggi said that it was propaganda of Akalis and Congress to sledgehammer the AAP fold in Punjab. “Akali Dal is paying a hefty sum to Manjinder Sirsa who is from Delhi. They are making a big deal about Delhi AAP leaders getting involved in Punjab but Akalis have continued to seek support of its leaders from Delhi,” he said.
