CHANDIGARH, Nov 25 — As it was expected, Capt Amarinder Singh, was today elected unanimously as President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). No other candidate filed nomination papers for this office.

Mr Chakravarty Sharma, a member of the PPCC Election Committee, said while 83 delegates proposed the name of Capt Amarinder Singh, 82 delegates seconded his name. Total number of delegates is 219 and it includes all party MLAs. Among those who proposed the name of Capt Amarinder Singh for the post were Mr M.S. Gill, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Mr Varinder Kataria, Mr Hans Raj Sharma, all former presidents of the PPCC, and Mr H.S. Brar, a former Chief Minister of Punjab.

The only notable absentee was Mr Jagmeet Brar, who, at one stage, had declared to contest the election for the post of the President of the PPCC, if the party high command permitted. Mr Brahm Mohindra, who was also keen on contesting, also was not seen in the Punjab Congress Bhavan where the election was held. Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was not present. As she is a member of the Congress Election Authority, she is not supposed to be present at the time of the election. Captain Amarinder Singh when asked about it, said he was proceeding to the house of Mrs Bhattal, who had invited him over a cup of tea.

The late Mr Beant Singh’s son, Mr Tej Parkash Singh, daughter Gurkanwal Kaur and grandson Gurkirat Singh were present throughout the election process. In fact, Mr Gurkirat Singh said, he was among the first ones to propose the name of Capt Amarinder Singh. Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder was also not present. However, Mr Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, a senior Congress leader from Amritsar, was seen moving about in the bhavan. Mr Umrao Singh and Mr Kewal Krishan, both senior leaders were also seen sitting with Capt Amarinder Singh when he was signing his nomination papers.Capt Amarinder Singh’s wife Mrs Perneet Kaur, his brother and sister-in-law were also present.

Mr Birdevinder Singh said Capt Amarinder Singh had got overwhelming support from all leaders and it reflected that the party was united to jump into the election arena to give tough time in the Assembly elections whenever these were held in the coming months.

Elated over his election, Capt Amarinder Singh said it was a very emotionally touching moment for him as the party rank and file had given him unprecedented support. He said that though 165 delegates proposed and seconded his name but the actual number of delegates who turned up here to support him was 188. He said that some delegates came late and they put their signatures on the nomination papers though they were his staunch supporters.

When asked what would be his next plan, Capt Amarinder Singh said that he was expecting the Assembly election in Punjab any time near February and March, before the presentation of the state’s budget. “My first priority was to mobilise the party rank and file in the entire state to win the next election”. He said that he would not disclose his party’s strategy at this stage as Mr Parkash Singh Badal may copy to same. He said that the Congress party was prepared fully for election in the state. “Our first target is to cover all assembly constituencies”, he added.

The main issues to be raised by him include criminalisation of politics by certain Akali leaders, corruption, deteriorating financial and social condition of farming community, traders and industry. When asked about the division in party ranks, Capt Amarinder Singh said all party leaders including Mr Jagmeet Brar and Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal were united. “ Till today the organisational election process was on and every leader had right to make a statement to enhance his electoral prospects but as the election process had been completed there were no differences among senior party leaders. He said that Mrs Sonia Gandhi did not gave any instructions to any one for electing him as President. Other officer-bearers of the PPCC would be announced soon.

Other leaders who were present on this occasion include Choudhary Jagjit Singh, Mr Harnek Singh Gharuan, Mr Jasjit Singh Randhawa, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, Mr Shamsher Singh Rai, Mr H.S. Hanspal, Mr Balbir Singh, Mr Sant Ram Singla, Mr Rana Sodhi, Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, Mr Harchand Singh Barsat, Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, Mr Bhupesh Sharma , Mr Jagroop Gill, Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, Mr Bal Bhushan Sharma, Mr Jagmohan Kang, Mr Lal Singh and Mr Avtar Singh Brar.

As the result of election was announced, party workers danced to the beat of drums, sweets were distributed and there was virtually stampede among Congress leaders to garland Captain Amarinder Singh.