Two SAD MLAs join Cong
Wednesday, 07/12/2016
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=169385&boxid=64975&uid=&dat=2016-12-07
New Delhi : Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s prospects of joining the Congress fold brightened on Tuesday with Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh announcing he has met the former BJP MP and he is ‘inclined’ to support the party. Congress also got a shot in its arm with two Akali legislators Mahesh Inder Singh and Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike joining the party in the presence of the PCC chief, giving a major jolt to the ruling Akali Dal in poll-bound Punjab.
Sidhu is likely to join the party and assume a new role later this month after the party declares its candidates, the sources said. The party is expected to announce its candidates on December 9 or 10, as its Central Election Committee headed by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is likely to meet on December 8, where the final list will be drawn up.
Top Congress leaders on Tuesday held internal consultations over selection of party candidates at the meeting of Central Screening Committee headed by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Confirming the meeting with Sidhu, Amarinder said the former cricketer was inclined to support the Congress and would soon make an announcement regarding his plan. “I can tell you that I have met him. I hope very soon he will be making his announcement. I found him in a very positive frame of mind. I hope it will be a positive decision,” Amarinder said. Sidhu’s entry into Congress has been speculated for a long time now.
Asked specifically if Sidhu will be formally joining the Congress or not, the PCC chief said, “I think he will announce it himself. Let’s wait for the announcement in a few days time. But the impression I got, without any commitment from his side, is that he was inclined to support us.”
