Kejriwal's visit shows AAP intent for 2017 Punjab polls

PATIALA: Even though Aam Aam Party (AAP) has been projecting itself as secular political outfit, party convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Faridkot on Saturday has strengthened the perception that it is not disinclined to use resentment and grievances of Sikh masses as its firepower in the coming assembly elections in Punjab against ruling SAD-BJP alliance.Besides, his visit has also strongly delivered the message that AAP is contemplating to contest the assembly polls in Punjab due in early 2017 quite seriously.
The top leadership of AAP appears responsive to sensitive religious issues in Punjab. This when,its leaders keep trying to send a message that the party's political line is different from other traditional outfits, which openly use religion, community or caste as their vote base.
"It is not for the first time that Kejriwal-led AAP has taken a decision in support of Sikh community. It had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate 1984 riots victims' cases and was also instrumental in shifting of life convict militant Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar from Tihar jail in Delhi to Amritsar. Such steps will definitely help the party to make inroads into large sections of Sikhs before the 2017 assembly elections," said a political observer, requesting anonymity.