Maghi Mela test o strength between Sukhbir, Manpreet

Muktsar : The annual Maghi Mela here this time will be more of a trial of strength between Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and sacked Finance Minister Manpreet Badal rather than commemorating the valour of the 40 Muktas. Both camps are busy these days mobilising their supporters to be present in the fair in full strength on January 14 as this has become a prestige issue for them. Moreover, this is the home district of CM Parkash Singh Badal and Manpreet, too, represents the Gidderbaha segment of the district. Manpreet, who had so far been sitting on the dais of the ruling SAD in the fair, will this time set up his own pandal to take on Sukhbir. Thousands of people from across Punjab assemble here every year on the occasion of Maghi Mela, celebrated on the next day of Lohri, when a fair is organised to commemorate the valour of the 40 Muktas who sacrificed their lives in the battle of Khidrana between Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, and the Mughal army. However, over the years, political parties have taken the centre stage by organising separate public meetings where it is more of an exercise of mudslinging on rivals rather than remembering the Muktas.

While the SAD is quietly mobilising its cadres for the show, Manpreet has thrown an open challenge to Sukhbir on the issue. While addressing a series of ‘Jago Punjab’ rallies, Manpreet was certain that his public meeting of Maghi Mela would be larger than that of the SAD. Sukhbir was himself mobilising his supporters for the fair and has visited the Gidderbaha Assembly constituency of Manpreet thrice during the past few days. He announced sops worth Rs 85 crore for development of the area and 17 councillors of the municipal council of the town deserted Manpreet and came out in support of Sukhbir. He has involved the SAD MLAs, party leaders and the youth wing in making theirs a better show than that of Manpreet. On the other hand, Bikram Singh Majithia, a former minister and brother-in-law of Sukhbir, is also touring the area in a bid to muster support for the SAD rally in the fair. He addressed a youth rally in Bathinda and would visit here on Tuesday. The fair will this time witness high-density political fireworks because after his rehabilitation as the PCC chief, Capt Amarinder Singh will be present at the public meeting of the Congress party. The party has set up a committee under the chairmanship of Avtar Singh Brar, sitting MLA from Faridkot, to mobilise people.