Cong MLAs will write to Sonia to cut petrol price,says Jakhar

“ The state government is not allowing Congress candidates to file their nomination papers and is putting pressure on them to withdraw their nominations by threatening to book them in false cases. Even their relatives are being threatened. So many of them have withdrawn their nomination papers,” he said.

“ We will be highlighting the government’s excesses. It has been decided in the CLP meeting today that a morcha will be taken out by the party. When and where,will be decided after consultations with the state Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh,’’ he added.

Punjab Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh and senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal,however,did not attend Tuesday’s meeting that saw the presence of 41 MLAs. Defending their absence,Jakhar said: “They told me they will not be coming as they had prior engagements. They are with the party.’’

The Leader of Opposition also said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had not gotten back to him,on the issue of vendetta cases against Congress workers,despite promising to provide him a reply,on the issue,within 15 days. A month has passed since the chief minister was given the list of the vendetta cases but he is yet to reply,Jakhar added.

Deputy Chief Minister and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on the other hand,denied the allegations. “There has been no vendetta by the government and as per our preliminary inquires in the list given by the Congress,almost all cases registered are on merit.’’