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Key Points

The Shiromani Akali Dal gained momentum as former AAP women's wing chief Preeti Malhotra defected, citing broken promises. Sukhbir Badal accused AAP of being controlled by "outsiders" while marginalizing Punjab leaders like CM Bhagwant Mann. Malhotra revealed AAP admitted its Rs 1,000 monthly women's allowance was merely an election gimmick. The defection deals a symbolic blow to AAP ahead of the Ludhiana West bypoll amid growing dissent.

Key Points: AAP Women Wing Ex-Chief Preeti Malhotra Joins Akali Dal Before Ludhiana Bypoll

  • Ex-AAP leader alleges party reneged on Rs 1,000 women welfare promise
  • Badal claims Bhagwant Mann sidelined as Kejriwal's puppet
  • SAD accuses AAP of financial mismanagement amid Rs 1 lakh crore debt
  • Defection deals blow to AAP ahead of crucial Ludhiana West bypoll
2 min read

Ludhiana bypoll: Setback for AAP as women wing ex-chief joins Akali Dal

Former AAP Mahila Wing chief Preeti Malhotra defects to Akali Dal, accusing AAP of betraying women and Punjabis ahead of Ludhiana bypoll.

"Punjabis joined AAP to work for the state but now realise outsiders are ruling the roost – Sukhbir Badal"

Ludhiana, June 11

The Shiromani Akali Dal’s campaign in Ludhiana (West) constituency received a major boost on Wednesday with Aam Aadmi Party’s Mahila Wing’s former President Preeti Malhotra joining the party along with her supporters in the presence of party President Sukhbir Badal.

Welcoming Preeti Malhotra into the party, Badal said all original workers of AAP were demoralised and were leaving it because outsiders had taken over the party in Punjab. “Punjabis joined AAP to work for the state but now realise that outsiders are ruling the roost and that they don’t have any say in the party,” he added.

Badal said even Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had been completely marginalised and was working as a puppet of Arvind Kejriwal. “Same is the case of ministers who are merely figureheads with outsiders being given the responsibility of clearing files,” he stated. Asserting that all this was having a negative impact on the state, Badal said, “Government employees have not received their salaries till now”.

He said the state’s financial situation was set to worsen in the coming months. “The AAP government has already borrowed Rs 1 lakh crore in the last three years, but has nothing to show by way of development or infrastructure building. Its efforts to borrow more money are hitting a roadblock as it has reached permissible limits, besides indulging in financial mismanagement,” the SAD chief stated.

Badal also spoke on how the law and order situation had gone from bad to worse. “Businessmen are facing extortion threats on a daily basis. Even social harmony is threatened with the state witnessing desecrations of statues of Baba B.R. Ambedkar.”

Meanwhile, Preeti Malhotra, while speaking on the occasion, said even though she had asked the AAP high command to implement its promise to give Rs 1,000 per month to women, the party flatly refused to do so. “I was told that such false promises were made to win elections, and it was not necessary to implement them,” Preeti added.

She also castigated the AAP government for giving all chairmanships to outsiders, besides failing to create any employment opportunities for the youth.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is really disappointing from AAP. They came to power promising change, but now even their own leaders are leaving. Punjab deserves better than this political drama. Hope Akali Dal has learned from past mistakes and will work sincerely this time.
P
Priya S.
The Rs 1000 promise to women was clearly just a jumla! 🤦‍♀️ How can any party think they can fool people like this? As a Punjabi woman, I feel cheated. At least Preeti Malhotra had the courage to speak up against this betrayal.
H
Harpreet B.
Both parties need to stop this blame game and focus on Punjab's development. The financial situation Badal mentioned is worrying - Rs 1 lakh crore debt with nothing to show? We need accountability, not just political defections.
A
Amit G.
Interesting how Badal is talking about outsiders when Akali Dal itself has history of nepotism. But can't deny AAP's credibility is taking a hit. Bhagwant Mann looks like a mere rubber stamp - what happened to his fiery speeches from opposition days?
N
Neha T.
The law and order situation is indeed worrying. My uncle's shop in Ludhiana had to pay 'protection money' last month. If AAP can't provide basic security, what's the point of their government? Maybe time for third front in Punjab politics.
J
Jasbir M.
As a Ludhiana resident, I've seen both parties fail us. AAP promised change but delivered chaos. Akali Dal had 10 years and didn't do much. Now they're welcoming defectors with open arms? Same old politics in new packaging. 😒

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