Upbeat after meeting Rahul, Capt says Cong will form govt in state

Sunday, 25/10/2015

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

PATIALA: Giving an indication that he got a favourable response from the party high command, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said the Congress would form the next government in Punjab. Amarinder’s statement comes a day after he met Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

Amarinder’s statement holds significance as Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa had accused him for forming a new party by dividing the Congress. Amarinder has been demanding removal of Bajwa from the party’s top post in the state.

Though Amarinder remained tight-lipped about what transpired at the meeting with Rahul, he said: “The meeting was very positive and fruitful. We discussed at length the issues related to Punjab politics and other current socio-economic problems of the Punjabis.”

Amarinder said he would again meet Rahul on Monday to discuss the leadership change in the Punjab Congress. “I have given him insight of the core issues related to the party and Punjab politics. I hope the high command will take a decision soon,” said a confident looking Amarinder.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Patiala, on Saturday, the former chief minister criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for trying to play politics over the current situation in Punjab. The Delhi CM has come to Punjab 10 days after two protesters were killed in police firing at Behbal Kalan village on October 14, just to score political points, said Amarinder.

“Kejriwal has no business to come here. Let him handle Delhi. When he has failed to fulfil the promises in Delhi, what can he do for the Punjabis? He should better avoid adding fuel to fire and leave Punjab to the Punjabis,” said Amarinder.

On the present law and order situation, Amarinder promised to punish the real culprits behind the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib after the Congress forms the government in Punjab. Sharing the feeling of hurt and anger of the people over the desecration, he appealed for peace and harmony in the state.

He reiterated his demand that chief minister Parkash Singh Badal should resign and President’s rule should be imposed in the state. He said there was a total breakdown of law and order and the state’s economy was in a mess.

Among others present on the occasion included senior party leaders and legislators Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Brahm Mohindra, Hardayal Kambhoj, Kabir Dass and Vikram Singh Chauhan.