Khatkar Kalan March 27:

Former Finance Minister of Punjab and the rebel Akali leader Manpreet Singh Badal today launched his new political party. People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) is the name of the new party.

Terming his mission as 2nd movement for the freedom of the country, Manpreet asked his supporters, who had gathered in large numbers, from every nook and corner of Punjab, to devote 11 months to his party so that his dream of changing the destiny of Punjab comes true. Elections to Punjab Vidhan Sabha are due in February, 2012.

He took everyone by surprise by announcing tickets for Abhay Singh Sandhu a nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Bharat Bhushan Thapar a nephew of Shaheed Sukhdev. In a dramatic move, he invited both of them near the podium while he was speaking, announced to field them as party’s first two candidates and also laid a precondition on both of them that they won’t go and ask for votes. “You won’t go and ask for votes as you are the ancestors of the great martyrs but we will ensure your win”, he said.

He said that his party will not be confined to a particular section of the society. He said that his party will have people from all walks of life and work for every religion, every community, every caste and people belonging to each and every section of the society.

Addressing a huge gathering of his supporters at Khatkar Kalan, the village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh he slammed (without naming) his uncle and the Chief Minister of Parkash Singh Badal for saying that his was going to be a party of deserters.

Referring to Badal’s statement, made at Khatkar Kalan, on 23rd of March, Manpreet asked “are the lakhs of Punjabis gathered here, deserters?”

“No, he said, in fact PPP is the party of Martyrs.” This he said is the party of trustworthy, self-respecting and brave people.

Manpreet made it clear that People’s Party of Punjab shall accommodate only those people who have a clean background and whose mission is to give something to the country rather than taking from it.

He didn’t elaborate on the agenda, the principles, the policies and the constitution of the party but said that it will be clear to one and all as it will be in the newspapers of tomorrow for everyone to read.

Swearing by the soil of Khatkar Kalan, handed over to him during his speech at the podium itself, Manpreet said that he will work for eradication of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and will oppose anti-nationals tooth and nail.

Manpreet, before coming to the venue of his rally at Khatkar Kalan, today morning went to Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib to seek the blessings of the Guru. Telling this from the stage, he said that he had nothing new to offer but he will only follow in the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji’s footsteps, who had said ‘Deh Shiva var mohe ehe, shub karman te kabhun na taron..’.

Quoting the above couplet from the Gurbani he called on his supporters to be ready to perform good under the banner of People’s Party of Punjab.

Before going to the stage of his rally, he along with some of his supporters went to the memorial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to pay his respects to the great martyr.

During his speech, Manpreet didn’t utter a single word against the SAD, Congress, the BJP or any other party of Punjab in particular. He also chose not to mention the names of his uncle Parkash Singh Badal and his cousin Sukhbir Singh Badal.

He however, without naming anybody, said that the leaders have been overpowered by greed of wealth instead of love for their country. “Instead of giving something to the country, they prefer to take everything from it.”, he said.

The flag of his party will have the words PPP on it and the it would be saffron in colour. It will be the same colour his supporters have been using for ribbons at their turbans and as siropas.

Gurdas Singh Badal, brother of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and father of Manpreet was present at the stage along with other family members.

Noted Comedian Bhagwant Mann, Abhay Singh Sandhu a nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Varinder Singh Bajwa former Rajya Sabha Member, Jagbir Singh Brar MLA Jalandhar Cantt. were the prominent speakers who addressed the gathering.