Chandigarh: The rumbling in AAP ranks over the second list of candidates is getting louder. Chamkaur Sahib MLA Charanjit Singh – who has been denied a ticket despite beating then Congress chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi in 2022 – has vowed to contest in 2027, come what may.This comes in the wake of resignations by three AAP functionaries in Rajasansi after the ticket was given to actress Sonia Mann, a newcomer to the party.Charanjit Singh, an eye surgeon, told TOI that he had convened a meeting of more than 200 prominent supporters from the constituency, where they called on the party leadership to reconsider its decision. He said the supporters authorised him to take “any alternative action” — even if it went against the party’s wishes — should the leadership refuse to reconsider its decision. “They expressed their support by raising their hands,” he said.Asked if he was considering switching parties and, if so, which one, Charanjit said, “Let’s see how the AAP leadership reacts. They must have received information about today’s developments. If the party does not take a decision in line with the wishes of its local volunteers, I am free to go anywhere. What’s certain is that I will contest the elections.”Alleging that the party has treated him unfairly, Charanjit said he had worked for AAP for 14 years and contested two assembly elections at his own expense, without financial support from the party. “AAP volunteers had expected me to be inducted into the cabinet. However, I continued to work tirelessly for the development of the constituency. Despite all this, I have now been denied a ticket. It seems honesty is not valued by the party,” he said.In the 2022 assembly elections, Charanjit earned the reputation of a ‘giant slayer’ after defeating Charanjit Singh Channi. This time, AAP has fielded former BSP Punjab president Jasvir Singh Garhi.Asked if the appointment of Garhi as AAP’s constituency in charge in Aug had been an indication of a possible change in the party’s plans for the seat, Charanjit said he had sensed the writing on the wall and raised the issue with party state in charge Manish Sisodia at the time. “I told him that the move was wrong and that I was not happy with it. I was so upset that I did not even accept the cup of tea offered by Sisodia during the meeting,” he said.“The party has cited survey reports as the basis for its choice, but surveys cannot be considered conclusive. If that is the criterion, the party should be able to win all 117 seats, with every candidate being projected as winnable in surveys. I am an eye surgeon and have performed around 75,000 surgeries so far, of which 50,000 were conducted free of cost at eye camps. I have a strong local connect with people,” he said.
