Ahead of key Delhi meet, Capt Amarinder inducts 3 AAP rebels into party

Chandigarh, June 3

In a move aimed at his detractors within the party, Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday inducted rebel AAP MLAs Sukhpal Khaira, Jagdev Singh Kamalu and Pirmal Singh into the Congress minutes before he flew to Delhi.

Strategic move

• Move to induct MLAs is seen as bid to ‘silence’ detractors
• Capt’s critics claim his popularity graph has taken a hit
• But CM has told high command he has edge over rival parties

The CM is scheduled to meet the three-member panel, constituted to resolve infighting in the Punjab unit, in Delhi on Friday. Party leaders believe Capt Amarinder has communicated to the top brass that the party under his command has an edge over rival parties. A senior leader said, “By advancing the induction of Khaira and others into the party, Capt Amarinder has tried to counter the narrative being propagated by his critics that his popularity graph has taken a hit and his acceptability in the party is low.”

Soon after joining the Congress, the three MLAs submitted resignation to the Speaker. After acceptance of resignations, elections to the Assembly segments need to be held within six months.

Khaira, who returned to the Congress after six years, said the Congress was the only viable platform to fight the “fanatic and fascist” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level and prevent the Badals from taking control over the state.

It is learnt that the Congress has assured ticket to the three legislators from the constituencies currently represented by them — Khaira (Bholath), Kamalu (Maur) and Khalsa (Bhadaur). — TNS