Can’t contest from Lambi against wishes of local Congress leaders, says Manpreet
Tuesday, 12/04/2016
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
BATHINDA: Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal on Monday said he could not contest the assembly polls from Lambi constituency against the wishes of local Congress leaders who had been working in the segment under adverse circumstances for years.
Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal (centre) and party colleagues interacting with the media during a press conference in Bathinda on Monday.
Addressing a press conference here on the sidelines of the party’s preparations for the Baisakhi political conference at Talwandi Sabo, the estranged nephew of the Punjab chief minister said after he had made a statement regarding contesting from Lambi a few days ago, he had been contacted by some local Congress leaders who were interested in fighting the polls from there. ‘THEIR RIGHT’ He said these Congress leaders had been working for the party under adverse circumstances in the face of the Shiromani Akali Dal-led government’s rule for nine years and they had the first right to contest the assembly polls from there. “I cannot contest the polls against their wishes,” he said.
Last week, Manpreet had said it would be a matter of pride for him if the party leadership asked him to contest the polls against chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who represents Lambi segment.
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh had supported Manpreet saying if he was ready for the fight, the party was also ready to give him a ticket from the assembly segment.
