AAP leader Rajbeer Kaur (second from left), has objected to the party’s choice of candidate from Jalandhar Cantonment Assembly constituency. Express Photo AAP leader Rajbeer Kaur (second from left), has objected to the party’s choice of candidate from Jalandhar Cantonment Assembly constituency. Express Photo

AAM AADMI Party (AAP) leader and Arjuna awardee Rajbeer Kaur, aka the golden girl of Indian hockey, alleged on Monday that AAP has been “selling tickets to undeserving candidates in Punjab.”

Having joined AAP sometime ago, she was a strong contender for the AAP ticket from Jalandhar Cantonment Assembly constituency. But, when the party announced the name of H S Walia of Jalandhar for the seat, on Sunday, Rajbeer issued a statement on Monday and even posted it on Facebook.

“Today sadly, I’ve to announce that my belief and trust in Aam Aadmi Party have been shattered. AAP is believed to be known for its integrity and promises but none has been shown in the recent activity where a person with less status and standard than me has got the Jalandhar Cantt ticket,” she said.

She further said that a person, who doesn’t even belong to Cantt constituency, was preferred. “I’m a well-recognised woman in the world and I belong to the Cantt area where even Sansarpur village, the nursery of hockey, falls. People are well aware of me and my leadership here. I failed to understand the reason he was chosen over me. My achievements and records have been set in the history of this country and I still can’t understand how a person with such less qualities have surpassed me.”

“The only quality he has more than me is that his hands are full of money and I believe that AAP, that has been advocating a corruption-free country, is no different from other political parties,” said Rajbeer, adding, “I support this party because we want good change for our people.”

She also stated, “I stick to the party even after my husband Gurmail Singh’s services were taken from him right after I joined the party. We were ready to give this party our best but today the party has shown that they also are ruled by people selling tickets and not giving them to deserving candidate.”

Although Rajbeer’s husband, Assistant Commandant in Punjab Armed Police, was on two years’ extension, the government relieved him after six months. And, this happened when Rajbeer joined AAP. Meanwhile, all the 11 ticket seekers for Jalandhar Cantt have given a two-day ultimatum to the party to change the candidate.

Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency in-charge and senior AAP leader from Delhi, Rajiv Chaudhary, said he was yet to see Rajbeer’s statement. About allegations of selling tickets, he said he could not comment. Regarding the demand of the 11 aspirants that Walia be replaced, Chaudhary said he didn’t know about it. He further said that Walia hails from Jalandhar and is president of the youth wing of AAP’s Jalandhar LS constituency.

Party volunteers and ticket aspirants from Jalandhar Cantt in a written statement (the copy of which is available with The Indian Express), said they were ready to help any other candidate but Walia. They also alleged that he was also involved in some disputes in the past which hurt the party’s image. They added that if the party failed to replace him, then they would hold a meeting to decide their future course. Walia was not available for comment.

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