Bhattal promises party support to Amarinder

Patiala, Nov 12 (UNI) Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will be supported by the Congress against the alleged political vendetta by the ruling SAD-BJP government, state party chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal declared here today.

Downplaying his absence during her maiden visit to the erstwhile royal city, after assuming the charge of PCC president, Ms Bhattal said ''He is busy with his ailing mother at Chandigarh and you (reporters) should not read much into it''.

Ms Bhattal said that every Congress worker, irrespective of his status, will get party support and present Government should behave properly while dealing with Congressmen.

She said the race among bureaucrats and senior police officers to either go on deputation or seek Central posting was an indicator of the vendetta politics being played by the SAD-BJP regime.

''The less said about the policies of the government the better,'' said Ms Bhattal adding that ''Now the people have started realising their folly of voting for the alliance.'' She said they would soon release a white paper about cases ''foisted'' on party workers. A committee was looking into all aspects and was expected to submit its report soon, she said.

Ms Bhattal said the poor sections were the worst hit since the government was not able to foot the bill of old age and widow pensions. Employees too had not been paid for the past few months and the Dearness allowance too were released half, she added.

She said the state was facing conditions of 'economic emergency'.

Earlier Ms Bhattal was accorded warm welcome at various points in the city by local leaders.

Later Ms Bhattal had lunch at New Moti Bagh Palace along with seniors Congress leaders hosted by Ms Preneet Kaur, MP and wife of Capt Amarinder Singh.

She also visited the residence of Brham Mohindra, MLA from Samana.

UNI