Punjab Congress chief calls BSP communal ahead of polls

Chandigarh, Aug 30 (UNI) Ahead of Assembly elections in the state, Punjab Congress president Shamsher Singh Dullo has described Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party as ''communal''.

''I can say that the BSP is also a communal party like the BJP and the Akalis. This party also divides people in the name of caste'', Mr Dullo told reporters after a book release function here last night.

Regarding the possibility of the Congress having a pre-poll alliance with the left parties, Mr Dullo said these parties being secular should stand with the Congress.

''They should stand by the Congress in the run-up to the Assembly elections in the state to defeat communal forces'', the Congress president said.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that his stand with regard to a tie-up with Communist parties contradicted the stance taken by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who was not in favour of such an alliance, Mr Dullo said it was for the Congress high command to take a final decision on this matter.

Only the Congress leaders with the past record of dedication would be fielded as party candidates in the Assembly elections, he said.

He claimed that the Congress would secure an absolute majority in the assembly elections.

Earlier, Mr Dullo released a book titled 'Stop the Pain' by Dr Amrik Singh Kapur.

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