BIR DESERTS BRAR, SAYS NO TO CHHAPAR CHIRI RALLY

PATIALA: The new-found bonhomie between expelled Congress leaders Jagmeet Singh Brar and Bir Devinder Singh seems to be over too soon.

Bir Devinder on Wednesday made it clear that he won’t be part of the May 21 Chhapar Chiri rally — a show of strength planned by Brar after his expulsion from the Congress. “After consulting well-wishers and examining the pros and cons, I have decided not to be the part of this half-baked initiative. Brar is on a misadventure...he lacks vision,” Bir Devinder told HT.

Brar, in the first week of May, had visited Bir Devinder and invited him to join the May 21 rally.At that time, Bir had welcomed the idea, but told Brar that he would take the final call in the coming days. The former deputy speaker of the Vidhan Sabha also flayed Brar for his “overtures towards the Aam Aadmi Party”. “His unilateral overtures towards the AAP, sans warmth and formal invitation, sound an act of extreme gaucherie,” said Bir.

“There are reports that he is also cosying up to the BSP, simultaneously. This kind of blurred political posturing is not helping build mutual confidence, so there seems to be no point in wasting my time by becoming part of the crowd at Chhapar Chiri”, said Bir. He said that the parties intending to overthrow the Akali-BJP combine should be wary of splitting the antiincumbency vote, as it could benefit the ruling combine.

“Therefore, all future electoral combinations in Punjab should be carefully worked out, without committing the mistakes of the past”, he said. When asked, Brar said: “It’s sad that after agreeing to all issues raised by me, Bir Devinder had decided to opt out. I don’t know what his compulsions are, but

› he is missing a chance to fight for the people of Punjab.” After examining all the pros and cons, I have decided not to be the part of this half-baked initiative. Brar is on a misadventure... he lacks vision. BIR DEVINDER, expelled Cong leader