With the Lok Sabha elections looming ahead, political activities in Punjab have reached a fever pitch. It is anticipated that the polls, likely in April or May, are prompting parties to intensify their efforts by consolidating support and strategizing their campaigns with key political figures making significant moves.   The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), too, is gearing up with accelerated rally campaigns as part of its election strategy. On the other hand, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to visit the state on February 11; while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday launched a state-wide yatra against AAP-led Punjab Government.   AAPs mega rally, slated to be held in Khanna Vidhan Sabha segment on February 10 or 11, will be addressed by the partys national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann. Besides, Kharge is set to visit Punjab on February 11 to participate in the Congress convention, primarily with the aim to quell the opposition brewing over the INDIA bloc within state unit in the upcoming elections.   Despite being the major players of the pan-India opposition bloc — INDIA, the state leaders of both AAP and Congress have all along been opposing the move to join hands for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Punjab where AAP is in power and Congress is the principal opposition party.   Moreover, top leaders from both the parties, including Chief Minister Mann, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Partap Singh Bajwa, among others, have openly rejected the idea of contesting general elections in coalition, while pressing to go solo.   However, after the two parties agreed to stitch an alliance in Delhi and also neighbouring Haryana for 2024 polls, the Congress high command wanted to give another chance. Kharge, during his visit, would make efforts to mitigate the opposition revolving around INDIA in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.   Sources informed The Pioneer that the party high command intended to contest the elections in Punjab under the INDIA coalition. And partys national presidents visit to Chandigarh is aimed at persuading the Punjab unit to ally with AAP for the Lok Sabha elections.   Notably, a meeting of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) was held on Thursday in Chandigarh to discuss the alliance alongside election strategies, attended by the state party affairs in-charge Devendra Yadav, PPCC chief Warring, CLP leader Bajwa, district unit heads, halqa (constituency) in-charges, and party legislators.   The meeting primarily focused on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with discussions covering various constituencies in Punjab. In addition, the recent conflicts in Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar, regarding candidates selection, were also discussed.   During the meeting, Warring insisted on the need to announce candidates for all 13 parliamentary seats two months prior to the elections to ensure adequate preparation time. He also assured that the candidate selection will be done professionally after thorough surveys.   Notably, during Yadavs recent meeting in parliamentary segments in Amritsar, discussions were held regarding the conflicts between supporters of sitting MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla and former Deputy Chief Minister Om Prakash Soni, resulting in heated exchange with Aujlas supporters.   Congress Screening Committee member Pragat Singh emphasized the importance of awarding tickets to winning candidates in Punjab without considering religion or caste. He stressed the need to avoid creating internal rifts within the party over these issues.   AAP Plans Mega Rally Next Week   AAP is set to hold a mega rally next week in Khanna assembly constituency where AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will participate. A senior party leader said that the final date for the mega rally in Khanna is yet to be confirmed. The leader said deliberations are ongoing for either the February 10 or 11, and an official announcement is expected within a day or two.   For the rally, the leader said, a sprawling venue has been selected on Samrala road, near the Raun Anaj Mandi, where ample parking space is available. Several acres of land will be covered with tents for the event. AAP MLA from Khanna Tarunpreet Singh Sandhu, accompanied by police and civil administration officials, inspected the venue on Thursday. Security maps of the venue have also been sent to both Punjab and Delhi Government ahead of the rally.

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