Congress suspends rebel Chitra Sarwara’s membership for 6 years

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has suspended the membership of Chitra Sarwara who, defying the party’s decision, is contesting for the Ambala Cantonment Assembly segment as an Independent candidate.

Parvinder Singh Pari, a loyalist of senior party leader Kumari Selja, has been nominated to contest for the Ambala Cantonment seat.Upset over this decision, Chitra decided to contest the election, for which she has paid by being suspended for six years from the party.

‘I AM FIGHTING THE REAL BATTLE’

We are fighting the real battle on the ground for the people of Ambala, and we are making efforts to get the responsibility of Ambala Cantonment for the next five years. Such things happen. — Chitra Sarwara, Independent candidate

According to press statement issued by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, multiple reports have been received from the party workers and the candidate for the Ambala Cantonment constituency regarding Chitra’s involvement in activities inimical to the party’s interests.

“Specifically, your participation as an Independent candidate against the Congress nominee constitutes a violation of the party’s policy. The AICC has reviewed evidence of your actions and as a result, we are compelled to take action. Consequently, we are suspending your membership in the Congress party for a period of six years due to these anti-party activities,” the letter read.

Sarwara was confident of getting the party ticket against former state Home Minister and BJP candidate Anil Vij, and was running various programmes in the constituency to strengthen the party’s base. However, like the previous Assembly elections, she was dropped by the party, following which she decided to contest as an Independent. Even in the 2019 Assembly elections, Chitra contested as Independent and stood runners up against BJP’s Anil Vij.

About the party’s action Sarwara, daughter of senior Congress leader and party’s Ambala City constituency candidate Nirmal Singh, said, “We are fighting the real battle on the ground for the people of Ambala, and we are making efforts to get the responsibility of Ambala Cantonment for the next five years. Such things happen.As an Independent candidate, I have been receiving support and affection from all the sections of society. We have worked on the ground and people are joining us. Our family is gradually growing. We contested the previous elections, too, but the circumstances have changed this time. People are coming out strongly to extend their support and we are confident that we will win the elections this time.”

Meanwhile, Congress candidate Parvinder said, “The party has made the right decision and I welcome it. The real Congressmen are with the party and they are working for the party. We have been getting a tremendous support from public. I am confident that the people of Ambala will vote for the Congress.”