Congress-Karwal deal locked, SAD rebel to contest from Atam Nagar

Friday, 16/12/2016

http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=169799&boxid=69622&uid=&dat=2016-12-16

Ludhiana : Amid the opposition by local Congress leaders of Atam Nagar constituency, the deal between Congress party and Akali Dal leader and councilor Kamaljit Singh Karwal was locked on Thursday and the leader will be joining party in next few days.

Associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) since 2007, Karwal had won the Municipal Corporation elections in 2012 on party ticket but had quit the party during the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 along with the Bains Brothers.

In January 2015, he rejoined the SAD, accusing the Bains brothers of being disloyal. However, he soon became disillusioned again with the SAD and decided to quit the party in support of the Congress.

However, the talks between Karwal and Congress were on since last two weeks but the opposition of Karwal from local Congress leaders had delayed his joining. Kulwant Singh Sidhu, K.K Bawa, Parvinder Lapran were the strong contender of Congress ticket from Atam Nagar and they opposed the joining of Karwal in the party.

From last 24 hours, all the leaders were camping in Delhi and opposing the joining of Karwal in party.

Extending his welcome to them, Captain Amarinder said they would be formally inducted into the Punjab Congress later in Chandigarh.

Not a cakewalk for Bains this time

With Kamaljit Karwal in battle of elections from Atam Nagar constituency, the victory for sitting MLA Simarjit Singh Bains will not be cake walk this time. Well established Industrialist Kamaljit Karwal has strong hold in Model town, his ward and other areas of Atam Nagar constituency. If the Congress will support Karwal whole heartedly, Karwal will be able to give strong fight to Bains in elections.

Will ensure defeat of Bains in elections, says Karwal

Talking to Daily Post, Kamaljit Singh Karwal said after taking the feedback from his supporters and voters of Atam Nagar constituency he has decided to join Congress.

The people of Atam Nagar constituency want to see the defeat of Bains but as Akali Dal has fielded lightweight candidate and the defeat of Bains was not possible.

However, I am joining Congress without any condition but if the party will give him ticket, I will ensure the defeat of Bains in elections.

Once right hand man of Bains brothers, Karwal said that the sitting MLA have ignored the people of his constituency and focused on his personal development.

Controversial Past

Kamaljit Singh Karwal was the main accused in assault case of on duty officer Tehsildar Gurjinder Singh Benipal. Along with MLA Simarjit Singh Bains, Karwal has spent eleven months in jail in the case and the case is still pending in Supreme Court.

Local Akali leader Baljinder Singh (Jindu) who was also booked in several police cases has also joined Congress along with Karwal.