Amarinder confident of winning over 75 seats in assembly polls

Sehna, Barnala, Dec 22 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said his party would corner about 75 seats in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state.

On the first day of the fourth round of Punjab Vikas Yatra in the Malwa belt, Capt Singh, at the outskirts of village Pakho Kainchian, told mediapersons he was sure that his party would win the next assembly elections with more than 75 seats.

He pointed out that an independent survey being conducted by Congress party and other agencies had indicated that a strong wave was in the favour of the Congress.

To another question, the Chief Minister said that party's election manifesto would be released by the mid of January and the allotment of tickets would be finalised by the end of January 2007.

''I am overwhelmed due to the sheer love and affection showered upon me in general and as Chief Minister in particular during the yatra that reflects our firm commitment and relentless efforts for the overall development of the state and welfare of all the sections of society,'' he said.

Capt Singh said the support of the masses was the sole decisive factor to determine the destiny of any political party and today undoubtedly ''the masses are with us''.

Replying to another question about the allotment of tickets to the prospective candidates, Capt Singh said the Congress had a prescribed procedure ''unlike the Akali Dal where Parkash Singh Badal was free to allot tickets to anybody''.

He said the final decision was taken by the party high command keeping in view the winnability of a candidate as the sole criterion.

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