North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap missing from posters, hoardings of MC elections

In a strange move, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who is vocal about civic issues and matters concerning the government, has not been active in the ongoing campaign for MC polls. His face was missing from posters and hoardings of the AAP candidates, but visible on posters of some Independent candidates. He is even holding meetings for some Independent candidates. Kunwar Vijay Pratap even missed the event in which AAP state president Aman Arora, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and local MLAs announced five guarantees for city residents.

Responding to a query about his absence, Dhaliwal said, “What if one MLA was missing? Rest of all were present.”

The party has allotted most tickets to supporters of former Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu in the North constituency which is represented by Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. Some close aides of Kunwar Vijay Pratap claimed that he didn’t demand tickets from the party for his supporters, but there were several in his camp who were aspirants for the MC polls. Meanwhile, Rintu managed to get around 15 tickets for his supporters .

Kunwar Vijay Pratap was vocal about civic issues and often criticised his government for supplying contaminated water, choked sewers and garbage heaps in localities. He raised civic issues in the Punjab Assembly too, but to no avail. Differences with CM Bhagwant Mann on desecration issues were already there, but Kunwar Vijay Pratap was side-lined from local political activities too.

When contacted, MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh said, “My picture has been displayed by candidates of AAP and Independents in all constituencies of the city. I didn’t ask anyone to contest as an Independent candidate. But I am supporting those who have good character and deal with us whether they are contesting from the AAP or as an Independent.”

He further said, “I am a member of the “original AAP” which belongs to Kejriwal. We don’t have any group, but are working to strengthen the AAP. Some elements created groupism in AAP. Some criminals joined the party in the past. this doesn’t match with the ideology of Kejriwal. I have ideological difference with those people, who created groups in the party. I joined AAP after being inspired by Kejriwal, I am still with him and support his original party.”