Patiala, Punjab (October 13, 2013): It is learnt that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is facing death sentence for assassinating former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, issued a letter on October 12, 2013 expressing his plans to field a candidate who would contest the upcoming general elections and convey the “voice of Khalsa” and “voice of rights of nationality” to the entire world through the Indian Parliament.
According to the letter cited by various sections of media Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana would field his independent candidate either from Patiala or Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat. According to the Punjabi Tribune (PT) some unnamed close associates of Bhai Rajoana told the PT that Rajoana may himself contest the Lok Sabha election from Patiala however the letter of Bhai Rajoana reproduced by Sikh24.Com does not make any mention about the person who may be contesting the election.
“[…] in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, I want to field my candidate, who would be dedicated to the truth and who, while performing his duties towards the nation (Sikh nation) would convey the voice of Khalsa, grief of blood-ridden land of five rivers…and voice of entire humanity to the entire world through the parliament of India,” reads the letter, reportedly delivered by his family members in Patiala on Oct. 12.
According to Times of India (TOI) Kamaljit Kaur, Bhai Rajoana’s sister confirmed on phone from Ludhiana that her brother had written the statement [letter].
Bhai Rajoana further mentioned in the statement that he had identified two seats but final decision would be taken only after sometime. “I have identified two seats for the purpose. One is Patiala and the other is Anandpur Sahib. I wish to field a candidate from any of these two constituencies,” he wrote.
Putting forth his rationale to focus on these two seats only, Bhai Rajoana said that both were being represented by the families that played role against the Khalsa Panth.
SAD Badal’s initial reaction:
According to the Punjabi Tribune (PT) Daljit Singh Cheema, spokesman of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) said that everyone has right to contest the elections and irrespective of any individual contesting election from anywhere, the Badal-BJP combine shall field candidates on all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.