Akalis will field candidate if PM contests Amritsar seat

Patiala, Dec 24 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today announced that the SAD-BJP will field a candidate against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, if he decides to contest the by-election to the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat.

The seat has been vacated by cricketer-turned-politician and BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu following his conviction in a murder case by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The former test cricketer's appeal against the HC verdict is pending before the Supreme Court.

''We show respect to him as he is a Sikh Prime Minister but it does not mean that we will leave the seat for him,'' Mr Badal said while addressing mediapersons here.

The SAD leaders remarks came after Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said yesterday that the Punjab Congress would welcome the PM, if he contests from Amritsar. Capt Singh had stated that it was for the PM to take a decision on this issue.

''The PM has done nothing for Punjab, so why should we leave the seat for him'', Mr Badal added.

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