PM welcome to contest Amritsar Lok Sabha seat:Amarinder

Patiala, Dec 23 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said it was for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to decide whether to contest the Amritsar Lok Sabha or not.

''We will welcome the Prime Minister, because his decision to contest, will infuse more blood in the Congress in the Majha region in particular and it will also have an impact on the assembly elections in the state,'' Capt Singh said while answering querries by mediapersons here.

The Amritsar seat fell vacant following the resignation of BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu from the Lok Sabha after his conviction in a murder case by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Reacting to media reports that he had requested the Prime Minister to contest Amritsar by-election, whenever it is held, he said ''Punjab Congress has not yet approached the Prime Minister and it will be his prerogative to contest.'' UNI XC-HS VN MSJ RK1545