SAD-L to merge with Cong today
Saturday, 16/04/2016
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=154548&boxid=63764&uid=&dat=2016-04-16
New Delhi: The Akali splinter group Shiromani Akali Dal-Longowal (SAD-L) headed by Surjit Singh Barnala’s wife is all set to merge with the Congress. A formal announcement is expected to be made by Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Punjab on Saturday. The decision to merge the outfit with Congress came after the Barnala family met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence here on Thursday.
Among others who met Gandhi included Akali Dal (Longowal) president Surjit Kaur Barnala, her son and outfit general secretary Gaganjit Singh Barnala and Gaganjit’s son Simar Partap Barnala. Simar Pratap had unsuccessfully contested the 2015 Dhuri bye-election on the Congress symbol. “We have decided to merge out party with Congress unconditionally,” Gaganjit Barnala said, adding that a formal announcement to this effect will most likely be made on Saturday.
The merger is viewed as a move to strengthen anti-SAD-BJP and to counter the growing influence of AAP in Punjab. Barnala, along with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, had signed an accord with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1980s for bringing peace to Punjab during the troubled times of militancy. Congress general secretary and in-charge of Punjab affairs Shakeel Ahmad said the announcement is likely on Saturday. The Barnalas share a good rapport with former chief minister Amarinder Singh.
