Chandigarh: In a press conference at Chandigarh on Tuesday (December 13) Punjab Front released its first list of candidates contesting from various parts of Punjab.
According to a press release issued by Punjab Front: “[b]efore releasing the list screening committee of Punjab Front held two meetings at Patiala and Ludhiana under the chairmanship of Adv Harish Dhanda to finalise the names of the candidates. Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, M.P., architect of the new agenda for Punjab politics endorsed the Common Minimum Programme of the Front.
Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi led Punjab Front release first list of Candiates at Chandigarh on December 13
“Our candidates would contest elections on the common minimum programme thrashed out with the help of the constituents of the Front, including Democratic Swaraj Party. Punjab needs alternative politics based on issues and not personalities”, said Dr. Gandhi.
Excerpt of some of the important issues to which Punjab Front released with the press release reads as follows:
• To stop encroachment on the autonomy of Punjab State:
a) restore full rights on river waters as mentioned in the 7th Schedule of the Constitution. It is clear that clause 262 of the Constitution and the spirit of the Interstate River water Dispute Act, 1956 establish full right of the Punjab state on its river waters.
b) To declare Chandigarh as capital of Punjab.
• The implementation of NDPS Act, 1985 has spread the synthetic drugs and made space for drug mafia. We would fight to amend the Act and make organic intoxicants available to the traditional users under medical supervision and by providing license to the consumers.
• We would fight inside the Parliament as well as on the ground to implement Anand Marriage Act and All India Gurudwara Act.
• To implement the right of the people over the state for quality education and health services.
• To implement the right to work under MGNREGA in its true spirit and expand the avenues of employment both in agriculture, and industry and services.
• To vouch for agricultural cooperatives in production and marketing so that the middle, small and marginal farmers could have better economy of scale.
• To free police and other state machinery from the clutches of the ruling political parties and restore rule of law.
• To make Punjabi society free of caste prejudices, and gender discrimination so that dalit rights, women rights and other backward classes rights are no more encroached upon.
• To strengthen Indo-Pak Peace and friendship so that borders of Pakistan could be opened up for expanding mutual trade.
FIRST LIST OF 15 CANDIDATES RELEASED By PUNJAB FRONT:
| Gurinder Singh Johal | Ajnala |
| Gurdarshan Singh | Amargarh |
| Principal Suba Singh | Amritsar South |
| Balwinder Fouji | Amritsar West |
| Jagtar Singh Gill | Atari |
| Maninder Singh | Chabbewal |
| Master Raj Kumar | Lehragaga |
| Harish Arora | Ludhiana Central |
| Kunwar Ranjan | Ludhiana South |
| Prof. Santokh Singh Aujla | Ludhiana West |
| Viramjit Singh | Majitha |
| Paramjit Singh | Nabha |
| Prof Mohanjit Kaur Tiwana | Patiala II |
| Adv Inderjit Singh | Payal |
| Jorawar Singh Bhaowal | Ropar |
The Press release further reads: “It is worth mentioning over here that most of the candidates are those who worked hard to realise a new dream for the future of Punjab under AAP but they were bypassed to favour people with money. They have now decided to continue with the fight under Punjab Front. Punjab has been ruined under the governments of Badal-BJP combine and Congress. AAP promised alternative politics of honesty, transparency and accountability but has failed on its own ground. It is the duty of the People of Punjab to bring Punjab out of the present crisis and hence the decision of Punjab Front to contest elections”.