SHIMLA: Ahead of AAP public meeting in Shahpur on April 23, Himachal Pradesh’s Fire-Brand Octogenarian Leader and war veteran, Major Vijay Singh Mankotia today sought  face to face talk with Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal first  to clear airs on “AAP- Pannu hobnobbing and other issues before he and his group take a call on joining AAP”.

By seeking clear-cut clarifications from Arvind Kejriwal, Major has sent the ball rolling in AAP’s camp ahead of Delhi Chief Minister’s Chambi Show proposed for April 23.  

Major Vijay Singh Mankotia has also sought clarification on  “corruption charges” levelled against Satyendra Jain, who is an AAP’s Himachal incharge.  How can a person be an incharge of AAP Himachal, where the party is trying to make a power bid to pin BJP and Congress on the issue of corruption, Mankotia questioned.    

Major Mankotia sought straight answers from Arvind Kejriwal at interaction with media in his home town today.

He said, “Himachal is a Dev Bhoomi and a Veer Bhumi. Its politics does not involve any street violence on the basis of caste and religion, where 95 per cent are Hindus. Delhi model will not work out in Himachal”.

“Before I and my group join AAP, Kejriwal should clear these issues beforehand”, Major said. “I will, in no way, want that Kejriwal treats Himachal as an extension of Delhi Rule, like there are talks that Punjab is an extension of Delhi Rule and as one AAP MLA says, 'Delhi-Punjab-Himachal will look like the erstwhile Maharaja Ranjit Singh's empire, which of course was much bigger”, Mankotia remarked.

Mankotia said AAP won Punjab because the major impact of Farmers protest around Delhi was in Punjab, People was disillusioned with SAD and Congress and BJP and PM, though he withdrew the three farms laws. 

Second AAP has already made its base in Punjab where it had won 23 seats earlier. But this does not mean AAP in the same analogy will win Himachal, it needs different strategy. Not that teams from Punjab and Delhi will turn tables in Himachal, Major said.     

Major made his first frank public appearance today at a time when there are hot talks that “Kejriwal will come first to Mankotia’s house, take him and his supporters along to Chambi to give a jolt to his BJP and Congress opponents in Himachal”.

Mankotia said AAP leaders including Stayendra Jain, Durgesh Pathak had visited him earlier before the AAP’s Mandi Road Show on April 6 last.

“AAP wanted to join me the party. But I told them that I need to clear some important issues with Kejriwal before I and my group take the call”, Mankotia asserted. “There is no question that we will join AAP before Kejriwal in face-to-face with me clear these crucial issues with me”, he said.   

Major Mankotia said BJP Delhi president had levelled serious allegations against AAP leader Jain and ED has raided his premises.

Secondly,  AAP is hobnobbing with UK MP, who has been vocal about supporting Khalistan and Kashmir freedom, Major said. “Pannu had opposed scrapping of the Article 370, he pointed out, seeking straight clarifications on this.      

Known for his straight and fearless talks, Mankotia on several occasions in history of the state has turned tables in Himachal politics. Major has been struggling to find a third alternative, ousting BJP and Congress from the state.

Major is a decorated soldier, veteran of three wars, holds Sword of Honour. He is a Desh Bhakt to boot and one of the tallest leader from Kangra right now. He can be a Game Changer this time for the third front,  when BJP faces anti-incumbency factor, say his fans.

Congress, on the other hand, remains in delirium at the Centre due to its unceremonious defeat in recent UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Gao state assembly elections.

Congress has yet to put its House in Order to consolidate its gains for four seats it had won in 2021 Bye-elections in Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Shimla. The party needs to recharge the public sentiments in its favour to create a strong political pitch setting a narrative ahead of state assembly polls, say insiders.     

Mankotia even at 82 looks in a fighting fit spirit and confidence. He went ahead to declare, “I will fight elections, so is the case with my group”. 

“All the members of my group want tickets before we join the party”, Major said. AAP is saying that these issues will be sorted out later after they join the party. “But it is not acceptable. We need clear-cut clarifications on all questions or controversy before we join the party”, he said categorically.       

As a matter of fact, barring the two half-terms of BJP veteran Shanta Kumar as Chief Minister, no other leader from both Congress and BJP from Kangra, Himachal’s biggest district, could become Chief Minister even after three decades.

There are also talks on social media that the AAP government of Bhagwant Mann in Punjab is  targeting AAP defectors/detractors  in a revenge mode. “When you take a superior moral ground, then why AAP should take revenge”, the netizens asked.     

in this context, Mankotia has raised the heat on AAP.  Despite of his age,  people say Mankotia is the best bat for the top post. "He has substance, he is honest. Major has leadership quality, political wisdom, experience and vision and he can lead the state", say political analysts.