Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

Bajwa sings Capt’s praises at Batala show of strength

- Surjit Singh surjit.singh@htlive.com

BATALA : In a show of strength endorsing chief minister Amarinder Capt Amarinder Singh amid the ongoing feud in the Congress’ Punjab unit, Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday staked claim on Congress ticket from Gurdaspur district for the upcoming assembly elections.

Addressing a gathering at the Batala grain market in the presence of two party MPS and four MLAS, the former Punjab Congress president said the party is united and will again form government in the state under the leadership of Amarinder Singh.

Those from the Amarinder camp present on the occasion were Khadoor Sahib MP Jasbir Singh Dimpa, his Amritsar counterpar­t Gurjit Singh Aujla, and MLAS Fatehjung Singh Bajwa (Qadian), Balwinder Singh Ladi (Hargobindp­ur), Santokh Singh Bhalaipur (Baba Bakala) and Joginderpa­l (Bhoa).

Bajwa said, “I have decided to play a proactive role in the state politics. I will contest the upcoming elections and that too from the Gurdaspur district. However, the final decision will be taken by the party leadership comprising Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Amarinder. They will take a call on which seat in the district I will be fielded from.”

The district is also a stronghold of two state cabinet ministers—tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa— who have been supporting newly elected state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, the one leading a banner of revolt against the chief minister.

A strong critic of Amarinder not long ago, Bajwa hailed the CM on various fronts such as increasing the old age pension amount from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 and hiking the state auured price (SAP) of sugarcane.

“We are also taking measures to provide relief to people of the state in terms of electricit­y bills,” he added.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Congress MP in Rajya Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa and his MLA brother Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa (L) being welcomed during a function in Batala on Tuesday.
HT PHOTO Congress MP in Rajya Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa and his MLA brother Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa (L) being welcomed during a function in Batala on Tuesday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India