To counter AAP, Akalis plan mega rally; New 60-acre venue much bigger than the 3-acre ground where it was to hold the event

To counter AAP, Akalis plan mega rally

New 60-acre venue much bigger than the 3-acre ground where it was to hold the event

On AAP’s popularity

• They can't compete with us. They are making bogus claims. AAP leaders are confused as they don't have a leader.

On facing anti-incumbency

• We are eagerly awaiting the elections to oust Congress from the state. — Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister

Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal addresses party activists in Muktsar on Thursday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 31

After finding out that both AAP and the Congress would hold their Maghi Mela conferences here on nearly 11 acres on January 14, SAD chief-cum-Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal today changed the party’s rally venue, increasing its area significantly.

Earlier, the SAD was to hold the conference on three-acre SGPC ground on Malout road, where the preparations had also started.

During his visit to Muktsar, Sukhbir finalised a 60-acre area near Rupana village on Muktsar-Malout road, where the ‘pandal’ would be set up on 22 acres, said Kanwarjit Singh ‘Rozy Barkandi’, SAD’s Muktsar constituency in charge.

Sukhbir said, “We will have the largest crowd. It will exceed the total gathering at the rallies of AAP, the Congress and other parties. It will be the biggest political event so far. Further, we will sound the poll bugle there.”

He further challenged other political parties to arrange an event as grand as theirs. “Captain Amarinder Singh is tired after the Bathinda rally and the AAP bubble has burst,” he said.

At a meeting at Bhai Maha Singh Hall here, Sukhbir urged SAD activists to leave no stone unturned to make the event a huge success.

Sukhbir also paid obeisance at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib here and targeted Captain Amarinder in his speech. “Captain Amarinder recently swore on a gutka, but he hardly visits a gurdwara,” he said.

On AAP’s claim of bringing nearly 5 lakh people to their rally, Sukhbir said, “They can’t compete with us. They are making bogus claims. AAP leaders are confused as they don’t have a leader.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address the AAP rally in Muktsar on January 14, forcing political parties to up the ante.

He further said before the Assembly elections, they would hold Sangat Darshans in all assembly segments to redress the grievances of the public.

While appealing the SAD cadre to bring a large number of women to the rally, Sukhbir said, “You all bring your wives to the rally. I will bring mine.” Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has never attended the Maghi Mela rally.

Courtesy: The Tribune