Tarn Taran: With its former MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu defecting to AAP and NSA detainee Amritpal Singh’s Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) likely to eat into its votes, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is now looking at a possible alliance with ‘Azad Group’ — a coalition of leaders from varied backgrounds, including sarpanches, municipal councillors (MC) and grassroots representatives.After reaching an initial understanding, there is a possibility that the group might merge with SAD during a rally in Jhabal on July 20. This event is expected to serve as a public platform to formalise the emerging partnership, signalling SAD’s broader outreach strategy to bring independent and cross-party local leaders into its fold. MC Sanjeev Kundra, a key leader of the Azad Group, said senior SAD leaders had been invited to the Jhabal rally.He said there was a strong possibility of Azad Group merging into SAD, with a joint strategy likely to be announced for the upcoming Tarn Taran byelection.Led by political influencers Ram Namdhari and Paramjit Singh Pamma, the Azad Group comprises leaders from the Congress, BJP, and other parties. The group positions itself as a non-partisan front aiming to field a clean and development-focused candidate for the welfare of Tarn Taran constituency.Recently, the Azad Group inducted an educationist, Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, and it is rumoured that she could be fielded as the SAD candidate for the upcoming elections. “Everything will be clear on July 20,” said Randhawa.SAD Tarn Taran district president Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke confirmed that the party has been invited to attend the Jhabal rally. While he did not share the details, he acknowledged there was a possibility of the Azad Group joining SAD.When asked about the party’s strategy following Sandhu’s defection, Pakhoke said it made a difference, but it was not the end for SAD. “The gap is soon filled and often with someone better,” he added. MSID:: 122638828 413 |
