In Sunam Municipal Council, where AAP won 19 out of 23 wards, nearly one-third of the party’s MCs have become unhappy. After Manpreet Bansal was made President, the spate of criticism and mudslinging continues unabated.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): Voting for the 23 wards of Sunam Municipal Council was held on 26 May and results were declared on 29 May. AAP secured 20 seats, BJP 1, and 2 Independents emerged victorious. After the results, the strongest buzz for the post of President of Sunam Municipal Council was around the name of the mother of Mukesh Juneja (Chairman, Sunam Mandi Board). Mukesh Juneja had publicly denied it in the media, putting an end to the speculation.
After the Juneja family was out of the race for the Presidentship, discussions shifted to Asha Bajaj (Ward No. 1 winner for the second time, considered very close to Punjab AAP President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora’s family) and Sunam Block President Sahib Singh. Meanwhile, names of Yadavinder Singh Nirmal (who joined AAP from Akali Dal Dhindsa group), unopposed winner Advocate Monty Madan, and Mahi Mahant were also doing the rounds in political circles.
On 23 June, after a meeting with all MCs, Punjab AAP President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora announced his old colleague Manpreet Bansal (who joined AAP from Congress) as President, Yadavinder Singh Nirmal as Senior Vice President, and Meena Rani (wife of Shri Bhanu Pratap) as Vice President.
After Manpreet Bansal was chosen as President, Advocate Monty Madan expressed his displeasure by sharing a story on social media and wrote:
“It is very difficult to make a place in the hearts of the people, posts can be obtained even through flattery.”
In response to a comment under this post, Monty wrote:
“If I had ever flattered anyone, perhaps I would have become something by now. But I always chose the path of public service and truth. My family has been elected more than five times by respectable people — this itself is proof of the place we hold in the hearts of the people!”
After Monty Madan’s post went viral, Akali Dal (Badal) Halqa Incharge Winerjeet Singh Goldy wrote on his social media account:
“Kickli Kaleer Di, they took away the Presidentship — Congress waley, Akali Dal wale veer ji.”
Replying to Goldy’s post, Sunam Municipal Council Senior Vice President Yadavinder Singh Nirmal wrote: “Kickli Kaleer Di, listen to the veer’s words… Akali, BJP and Congress had come together veer ji…
When the people of the Halqa Incharge’s own ward gave their verdict…
The Akali veer’s security deposit was forfeited!
Booth No. 36 — only 17 votes.”
He further posted:
“Kickli Kaleer Di, listen to the veer’s words. Akali, BJP and Congress had united veer ji.
When the Halqa Incharge’s own ward delivered its verdict, Booth No. 36 showed the mirror of truth.
Only 17 votes were polled — the count was very low, and then the Akali veer’s security deposit was forfeited!”
Besides this, Khushpreet Bansal wrote:
“It’s the booth of the Halqa Incharge and Circle Incharge…
22 votes at home and only 17 cast — this has become like Neetu Shutters’ situation.”
Today, Advocate Monty Madan wrote on social media:
“Our family has always received the love and trust of the respectable city residents. In 1993 my father, then continuously my mother, and now me — the people have elected us as councillors and given us the opportunity to serve.
An interesting fact is that in their respective elections, all three members of our family defeated those candidates who had earlier been or later became Municipal President.
Despite receiving so much love and trust from the people, our family has not yet got the opportunity to serve as Municipal President. These decisions are within the domain of the party leadership! Still, we take pride in the fact that the trust of the people is bigger than any post. Your love and support is our real strength, and we will continue to serve the people with honesty in the future as well!”
Chamkaur Handa, who became an MC for the first time with the support of Daman Thind Bajwa and Harman Bajwa (and had joined AAP during former President Nishan Singh Tony’s time), wrote on his WhatsApp status:
“Yesterday you needed me, my friend, today you have become good without me, my friend.”
Jatinder Jain, founder of the “City Bjao” campaign and RTI activist (who was previously Aman Arora’s media advisor and resigned a few days ago for personal reasons), posted a picture of chess and wrote:
“One move, Wrong Move.”
Asha Bajaj from Ward No. 1, who won for the second time and was considered the strongest contender for the President’s post after the Juneja family, expressed her displeasure by writing:
“An injury to the foot teaches you to walk carefully, while an injury to the heart teaches you to live with wisdom.”
Similarly, MC Kulveer Singh Bhangoo wrote:
“Look, the ways of the brave are different. The Creator himself destroys those who try to destroy others.”
When the media asked Cabinet Minister Aman Arora (who had gone to pay obeisance at Baba Bhai Mool Chand) about the entire episode, he said:
“Every person desires a post, but it is not necessary that God fulfills every desire of ours. I too must have had many such desires that remained unfulfilled. The party and all the winning MCs are united. We will continue to work together for the people of Sunam.”