Gul Panag gets support from Sikh Regiment veterans

Chandigarh: AAP candidate Gulkirat Kaur Panag struck an emotional chord with retired and serving officers and their families during a bimonthly get together of the Veteran Sikh Regiment Officers Association at Defence Services Officers’ Institute (DSOI) here today.

Gul, who was not sporting her party’s trademark ‘aam aadmi’ cap, said, “I owe every ounce of what I am today to the armed forces. I am the granddaughter, daughter and sister of the Sikh Regiment. For me, being here is like being home.”

The actress-turned-politician got swayed by emotions when the association passed a resolution to support her in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

However, the lady making a foray in politics did not make any promise to them neither did she speak about how she would tackle the problems of ex-servicemen and their families. Rather, she banked upon her defence roots.

Issues pertaining to the city, however, did not crop up.

While campaigning for his niece at the gathering, Gul’s uncle Major General Charanjit Singh (retd) said, “The AAP cannot give money or liquor to influence voters, but can give an incorrupt Member of Parliament (MP)”.

On the sidelines of the event, Gul went all guns blazing against the Ministry of Defence. She said, “The ministry is highly corrupt and is not soldier welfare-friendly at all. Even for basic rights, including disability pension and war-widow pension, soldiers and their families have to fight cases in the Supreme Court.”

She claimed, “Right before the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress, in order to woo defence voters, came up with One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme. The party does not have any interest in the welfare of the soldiers.”

Source: The Tribune