Amarinder bows before high command, shares stage with Bhattal

Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Apr 14 (UNI) Bowing before the dictates of the Congress high command, a reluctant Capt Amarinder Singh today shared the stage with Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal at the party's public rally, organised on the occasion of 'Baisakhi' here today.

'' I cannot pull along with Mrs Bhattal as she is soft towards the Akalis'', the former chief minister said talking to reporters while leaving the rally site.

Advocating a tough stand against the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance, he alleged that the PPCC chief was ''playing a friendly match with the Akalis'' while Congress workers were being targeted by the state government. '' I will stand by her if she takes a tough stand'', he added while indicating that he will start meeting party workers from April 19 to listen their grievances.

Capt Singh left the rally site even before Mrs Bhattal commenced her speech. However despite sharing the stage, a clear divide was quite noticable between the Capt Singh and Mrs Bhattal camps.

A large number of youth who were present at the rally wore handkerchief's on their wrists to show their support for the former chief minister. They only shouted slogans in favour of Capt Singh and remained silent when the PPCC chief began her speech.

Though the rally was organised by the supporters of Mrs Bhattal but the supporters of Capt Singh clearly outnumbered those of the PPCC chief.

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