Former SGPC chief Lalpura joins Congress

Chandigarh, Aug 11 (UNI) Octogenarian Akali leader and former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandik Committee (SGPC) Prem Singh Lalpura today announced his decision to join the Congress.

Mr Lalpura who remained SGPC chief for two terms--1958-59 and 1959-60, made this announcement at Punjab Bhawan here in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

A large number of his supporters who had come all the way from Tarn Taran, Mr Lalpura's home district, welcomed the announcement with the traditional Akali slogan--'Bole Sau Nihal'.

Welcoming Mr Lalpura into the Congress fold, Capt Singh said that his entry would further boost the chances of the party in the Majha belt in the assembly elections, due early next year.

''I have decided to quit the Akali Dal in the twilight of my career, as i have become disillusioned with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its chief Prakash Singh Badal,'' Mr Lalpura, who remained an MLA for 15 years from Tarn Taran, said. He also remained an Akali MP representing the Tarn Taran constituency.

Mr Lalpura had remained active in Akali politics for nearly 60 years, but during the phase of militancy in Punjab he went abroad and returned when normalcy was restored. On his return Mr Badal did not give much weightage to Mr Lalpura and had more faith in other Akali leaders of the Majha belt.

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