In a major setback to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in Panjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leader Simranjit Singh Mann on Sunday claimed victory in the Sangrur Lok Sabha by poll, the home turf of Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Singh Mann.
“This is a great win for our party. We have defeated all national parties in this by poll. My priority will be to raise the issue of the poor economic condition of Sangrur including the condition of farmers under debt. We will work with the Panjab government,” said Mann.
“I am grateful to our voters of Sangrur for having elected me as your representative in parliament. I will work hard to ameliorate the sufferings of our farmers, farm-labour, traders and everyone in my constituency, he added.
The final outcome is yet to come but the trends are signalling victory for Simranjit Singh Mann. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal congratulated Mann and said, “I sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulate Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann and his party on their electoral victory in Sangrur parliamentary by poll and offer them our best wishes and cooperation. We bow before the mandate of the people in a true democratic spirit.”
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also congratulated Mann.
“Humbly accept people’s verdict in Sangrur by poll. My congratulations to Simranjit Singh Mann Ji for his victory. I am sure he would keep raising Punjab’s voice in his new role. The result reflects displeasure of public with Aam Aadmi Party insensitive and inept governance,” tweeted Warring.
On the other hand, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu took a pot shot at Sukhbir Badal-led SAD for its candidate’s defeat. ANI