Amarinder begins 'vikas yatra', announces Nangal as sub-division

Nangal, Nov 8 (UNI) In a show of strength with assembly elections round the corner, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today began his five-day 'Vikas Yatra' from here, declaring Nangal as the new sub-division.

Accompanied by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Shamsher Singh Dullo, Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and other ministers and MLAs, Capt Singh said this 'yatra' was the beginning of the party's political fight against the Akalis for the ensuing assembly polls.

Giving the slogan of development undertaken by the present Congress regime, the Chief Minister said his government had fullfilled all the 66 poll promises made in the manifesto during the 2002 assembly elections.

The Chief Minister's cavalcade of over 50 vehicles began to move in the form of a procession following the 'sarv dharma prarthana sabha' (all religions prayer meeting).

Over one thousand policemen escorted the procession, assuring the smooth run of the cavalcade which inlcuded a luxury air-conditioned bus for the Chief Minsiter and his ministerial colleagues.

However, Capt Singh and Mr Dullo travelled in an open jeep to at many places.

The Chief Minsiter stopped at 29 places on way from Nangal to Chamkaur Sahib, shaking hands and receiving garlands from party activists.

School children and some cultural troupes performed folk dances and other items at many places.

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