In Samana, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to trust turncoat Surjit Singh Rakhra to run the political affairs, sidelining its own MLA and former minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra.
The recent induction of former Shiromani Akali Dal leader Rakhra into AAP has put the spotlight on the 2027 Assembly poll. Political observers said, “With Rakhra allowed to manage Samana, AAP is looking at the winnability factor in the run up to the 2027 Vidhan Sabha poll.”
Despite Rakhra’s elevation, Jouramajra said he would continue to serve the people and abide by the party’s decisions.
Rakhra has already made it clear that “if he contests the next elections, it will only be from the Samana Assembly segment”. With this announcement, his supporters have taken the centre stage ahead of civic body elections in Samana.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a police official said, “The message from the top is clear. We have been told to listen to Surjit Singh Rakhra. Even his security cover has been beefed up just days after he joined AAP.”
Meanwhile, civic polls will be a test of popularity for Rakhra, who has been nurturing the segment for more than two decades. In 2002, Rakhra had defeated Congress’ Brahm Mohindra. In 2007, Mohindra had turned the tables on Rakhra. In 2012, Rakhra defeated Capt Amarinder Singh’s son Raninder Singh and was made a minister during the SAD-BJP regime.
Last year, Rakhra had joined SAD (Punar Surjit) from which he was expelled on Thursday. With Rakhra’s elevation as the de facto AAP’s face in Samana, party’s general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat, who is a chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board and has a considerable support base in Samana, is likely to keep his cards close to his chest.
