Grand alliance in state possible, says Amarinder
Tuesday, 17/11/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Patiala : Veteran Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh today said his party was open to alliance with like-minded parties for the 2017 state Assembly elections, given the outcome of a similar alliance in Bihar.
“We are in a strong position. But despite that we are open to alliance with like-minded parties to ensure that the secular and progressive vote against the SAD-BJP alliance does not divide. The Bihar experiment proved successful and there is no harm in trying a similar arrangement here,” he said.
Accusing the Akalis of promoting their party’s interests over governance, Amarinder said the SAD leadership had already faced rejection in the state as their leaders were avoiding public.
In a special interaction with journalists on the occasion of the National Press Day celebrations here, he said he did not approve of the state government slapping sedition charges against radical leaders and putting them behind the bars. “Instead of addressing the basic issues, the government is trying to gag the voice of the people by arresting them and further demoralising the police by frequent transfers of senior officers,” he said.
He criticised the SAD for its plan to hold rallies in the state, saying this was not the right time to do so.
‘AAP inexperienced’
On Aam Aadmi Party’s prospects in Punjab, the veteran Congress leader said people were wise enough not to experiment with inexperienced people. “Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has proved a failure. He always try to put the blame for his failures either on the Prime Minister or the Lieutenant Governor. Sheila Dixit was the CM for 15 years and she never complained about anything even when the BJP was in power at the Centre.”
’Time for Rahul to take over’
Capt Amarinder said Rahul had proved his leadership skills in Bihar where the Congress made significant improvement over the 2010 tally. “Time has come for him to take the lead. The matter could be on the top of agenda during the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled early next year,” he said.
