Manpreet woos Barnala’s; Prakash Singh Badal asks nephew to return to SAD fold

Chandigarh: Feeling the loss of founding members deserting the new party even before testing electoral waters, Manpreet Badal, president People’s Party of Punjab yesterday called upon the Barnala’s here to iron out differences with Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) leadership that had crept in.

Feeling ignored by PPP, Gagandeep Barnala, son of senior SAD (L) leader Surjit Singh Barnala’s, was said to be considering joining hands with congress.

Manpreet met Surjit Kaur, president SAD (L), and resolved the differences. SAD (L) along with communist parties CPI and CPI (M) have joined hands to float the Sanjha Morcha as the third front in the highly polarized politics of Punjab.

Our differences with PPP stand resolved after Manpreet met the leadership yesterday,” said Baldev Mann, general secretary SAD (L). Differences had cropped over Kushaldeep Dhillion handling of the joint front alliance, he added.

Kushaldeep Dhillion deserted PPP on Sunday and joined Congress.

PPP spokesman Arunjot Sodhi said, “coordination committee meeting of Sanjha Morcha’s would be held next Barnala’s residence and a list of probable candidates would be drawn up.

Peoples Party of Punjab was jolted on Sunday after two close associates and founding members of the party dumped PPP and joined Congress.

The two left the party and joined congress are Jagbir Brar, a former MLA from Jalandhar Cant and Kushaldeep Dhillion.

Sensing an opportunity to bring back Manpreet to the SAD fold, chief minister Prakash Singh Badal, out on a tour of Bhatinda said, “he is lie my son and the doors of SAD are always open for him.”

“Manpreet took a very strong step to leave SAD but should he admit his mistake, the party would have no problems in taking him back,” said the senior Badal before laying the blame on Dhillion and Brar for instigating Manpreet of breaking out and floating a new party.

Commenting on reports about the Barnala group considering leaving the Sanjha Morcha, the chief minister said that it was time for Manpreet to introspect and take a call about returning to SAD.

Gurpreet Singh