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Militancy background helps Valtoha, curse for Gill |
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Punjab Newsline Network
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Wednesday, 28 February 2007 |
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 AMRITSAR: The militancy background seems to have helped SAD candidate Virsa Singh Valtoha, former militant, to win the Valtoha seat by defeating Congress stalwart Gurchet Singh Bhullar and another militant supporter Harmidner Singh Gill has lost in the neighbouring Patti constituency for shifting loyality to Congress party.
Gill had lost to Adesh Partap Singh Kairon of SAD by 9947 votes whereas Valtoha has won against Congress stalwart Gurchet Singh Bhullar by 11350 votes.
Gill had Valtoha are study in contrast as both of them had entered in politics owing to their past affiliation but Gill defected to Congress party. Gill had lost despite the fact that Captain Amarinder Singh extended him full support. He was appointed member Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board, the status Valtoha also enjoyed during SAD regime. Amarinder Singh also addressed a huge election rally in support of Gill.
Both Patti and Valtoha are Sikh dominated seats and militancy was ground reality here being remote border area. The Sikh sentiment against Congress party is strongest in this region and it was unbecoming of Gill to join Congress aprty. Interestingly Gill himself and his mentors like Bhai Amrik Singh former president All India Sikh Students Fedration(AISSF) had fought against Congress party and its anti-Sikh stance. Bhai Amrik Singh was killed during operation Blue Star. Gill had worked with him in the AISSF. Valtoha was also an active member of AISSF under Bhai Amrik Singh.
Gill was close to former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra and he had joined Congress in March 2004. He remained in Jodhpur jail till August 1989 after being arrested during operation blue star.Gill had also contested 1991 election but lost. The defeat seems to have come as road block in the political career of Gill who would not be welcome into SAD and he has no future in Congress. Valtoha however may push forward leaving behind his black past.
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