Amarinder launches contact programme despite hurdles

Despite hurdles raised by fellow partymen, former chief minister and chairman of Punjab Congress8217; campaign committee today launched his mass contact programme here today...

Seeks Central forces for Lok Sabha polls in state

Despite hurdles raised by fellow partymen, former chief minister and chairman of Punjab Congress8217; campaign committee today launched his mass contact programme here today, setting the tone for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The function, which evoked an encouraging response.

PCC chief Mohinder Singh Kaypee and CLP leader Rajinder Bhattal did not join Amarinder8217;s show. But former minister Pratap Singh Bajwa and Gurkirat Singh, grandson of former Punjab CM Beant Singh turned up; both had been Amarinder8217;s strong detractors.

Enthused by the response, Amarinder said, 8220;We have made a beginning for the Lok Sabha polls from Sangrur. We will aim at a complete sweep for the party and a washout for the ruling Akalis8221;.

Amarinder favoured the deployment of Central forces for Parliamentary polls, for which he said the party would seek the Election Commission8217;s help to declare the state a sensitive area.

Making a veiled reference to the attempts made by some Congress leaders to thwart his show, Capt Amarinder Singh said, 8220;The forthcoming Lok Sabha polls are not mine, but to help the Congress form a government at the Centre8221;.

Admitting factionalism in Punjab Congress, he said some forces from within the party are trying to sabotage his contact programme. 8220;They are harming the party, but they have not been successful in stopping Congress men from attending the programme8221;.

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The former CM said Congressmen will not allow any goondaism during the forthcoming polls. He favoured countering the same with lathis, if required.

Today8217;s programme was mainly organised by Arvind Khanna, a contender for the party ticket from Sangrur. Amarinder said Khanna was a strong candidate, but the final decision would be taken by AICC and its chief. Two other contenders for the seat 8211; both MLAs Kewal Dhillon and Surinderpal Singh Sibia, were conspicuous by their absence.

Only three of the seven Congress MLAs who won from the nine Assembly seats in Sangrur constituency were present today. The five MLAs who attended the function today included Pratap Bajwa, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Razia Sultana, Harchand Kaur, Surjit Dhiman, Surjit Kaur Balian and Nirmal Singh Shutrana.