‘Phillaur was not in party to serve it’

CHANDIGARH: Hitting hard at “party deserter” Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Saturday said the former minister joining the Congress in less than 24 hours after denial of party ticket made it clear that he was not in the party to serve it.

In a statement, Dhindsa said the party had not only fielded him but also ensured his victory for six times for Punjab Vidhan Sabha ignoring the claims of all others. But once the party decided not to field him, he preferred to join Congress against whose policies he had been fighting all through his political career. “Equally stunning was the haste on part of Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh to induct him in the party even without consulting his own colleague,” Dhindsa said.