Sucha Singh
Chhotepur
Sucha Singh Chhotepur is a common man politician from Punjab, India. He was born in an ordinary
family which did not have any political affiliation. He came in to prominence when he started raising his
voice in favour of the average Punjabi who were living in fear in Punjab during the 80’s the last century. He
supported families who lost their sons to the mindless violence that hit Punjab during those days. It was his
dynamism that made him politically active and become a confident of late Sant Harchand Singh Longowal
and S. Gurcharan Singh Tohra. He was married with the daughter of late S. Mohan Singh Tur, former
President Shirmoani Akali Dal. He was appointed the State Minister for Health and Tourism in the Barnala
administration. He resigned from this position, along with Captain Amarinder Singh and S. Sukhjinder
Singh, in protest against the Black Thunder Operation in which the Punjab Government sanctioned the
Punjab police entry into the Holy Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.
The political leaders of the time tried to
change his mind by offering him a position in the State Cabinet S. Chhotepur reiterated that his principles
and the welfare of Punjabis must take precedence over personal gains. When he contested the election for
Lok Sabha from Gurdaspur as an independent candidate, though he did not win, he left a deep impression
of spirit of service on the mind of the people. Undaunted by the political defeat, he continued his tireless
works for the benefit of his constituency. In 2002 he fought Punjab Legislative Assembly Election as an
independent candidate and by winning it he made history as he was the first statesman to be elected to the
Vidhan Sabha, from Gurdaspur District as an independent candidate. In the course of his five year tenure
as MLA from Dhariwal, he initiated various development projects. His excellent relationships both with
the ruling parties and the opposition parties enabled him to carryon his works regardless of the regime
changes. When Aam Aadmi Party made him a candidate in Lok Sabha Election from Gurdaspur, he won
it and figured among the first MPs of Aam Aadmi Party in Lok Sabha. Aam Aadmi Party made him a State
Convener for Punjab. However, when his relations with the Aam Aadmi Party could not pull on smoothly
he has now created his own party named as Apna Punjab Party. Being the President of this party, he is
preparing to fight Punjab Assembly Election in 2017. He is role-model Gursikh politician because of his
dynamic qualities of leadership. He started from an ordinary background without anybody’s support and is
enjoying an enviable position in Punjab politics.