Seeking to consolidate all anti-Akali forces in Punjab, the Congress on Sunday got a shot in the arm with Akali splinter group Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), headed by former chief minister Surjit Si
Seeking to consolidate all anti-Akali forces in Punjab, the Congress on Sunday got a shot in the arm with Akali splinter group Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), headed by former chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala’s wife, formally merging with it.
Announcing the “unconditional” merger in the presence of senior Congress leaders, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh said this will strengthen the party ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls in the state where Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP is also surging ahead and could spoil the Congress’ prospects.
“The SAD (Longowal) headed by Surjit Kaur Barnala has decided to unanimously merge their party with the Congress. I welcome them in the Congress. This will give us much greater strength,” he said in her presence.
Senior Congress leaders Ambika Soni and Shakeel Ahmed, who is in charge of party affairs in Punjab, were also present, besides SAD(L) leaders Gaganjit Singh Barnala and Baldev Mann. Capt. Singh said the Barnala family has been at the forefront of Punjab politics and former CM Barnala has also contributed his lifetime for the state and its people. He said the Congress welcomes all secular forces to come together for ousting the ruling Akali-BJP combine in the state. He said he has held meetings with CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and was open to more alliances. He, however, said there is no chance of joining hands with the BSP and accused its chief Mayawati of “helping” the Akalis all the time. Mr Barnala is a former governor of TN, Uttarakhand, AP and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an ex-Union minister.
