Malerkotla District: Som Parkash differs with Yogi Adityanath, hails Capt Amarinder decision

Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry onMonday issued a statement regarding the Punjab Chief Minister Captain AmarinderSingh’s decision to make Malerkotla a district.

His stand is contrary to the standtaken by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, towhich the PunjabCM responded.

The political ramifications of Som Parkash going againstthe stance of his party could be more than cosmetic. It is worth reminding thatSom Parkash is an ex-bureaucrat, an IAS officer turned politician. Besides, he isthe Dalit face for BJP in Punjab.

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All eyes are set on the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections. “Inthese times when internal fighting in Captain Amarinder Singh’s party is goingstronger, a statement like this from a rival party gives birth to uncommonpossibilities”, say political experts.

They further added that communal harmony will be promotedby this decision of Punjab CM to make Malerkotla a district. “The newly-formeddistrict is a Muslim-dominated region and has never seen a riot either beforeor after the nation’s independence”.

Meanwhile, they also said that though BJP leader’s standis being appreciated, the political possibilities cannot be ignored.

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Does Som Parkash have any political interestbehind this statement?

Pertinently, his wife Anita Som Parkash contested thelast elections from Phagwara constituency. She could have been the candidatefielded by BJP but Rajesh Bagga, another Dalit face of BJP, was given theticket and he faced a miserable defeat.

Further, new candidates are getting ready and thepolitical experts remind that BJP has always been against heredity in politics.

Do the chances of Anita Som Parkash look bright ingetting a ticket from BJP?

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Or at a bigger level, do the chances of BJP look bright,especially after the farmer protests?

Whatis the political significance of this statement?

“I congratulate the people of Malerkotla and thank CMCapt Amarinder Singh ji for declaring Malerkotala as district. This is a truetribute to Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan of Malerkotla, who opposed the execution oftwo Sahibzads”.

#Malerkotala is a symbol of communal harmony. Guru GobindSingh had praised Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan of Malerkotla for speaking outagainst the execution of his sons by the Mughal Governor.

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I request Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singhji to declare Phagwara as district as well.

This is a long time demand of Phagwara people and allpolitical parties.”