Chandumajra joins SAD, to contest against Bhattal

Chandigarh, Jan 3: Former Akali Lok Sabha member Prem Singh Chandumjra today re-joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after eight years, since the split of the party, ahead of the February 13 Punjab Assembly polls.

Mr Chandumajra would now be the SAD candidate against Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal of the Congress from Lehragagga.

Mr Chandumara's associate Baldev Singh Mann, who also joined the SAD today, would be contesting from Dirhba Assembly segment.

SAD President Parkash Singh Badal, addressing a joint press conference along with Mr Chandumajra here, welcomed both the Akali leaders back to the partyfold.

Mr Chandumajra and some other senior leaders had parted ways from the SAD along with the then Akali stalwart Late Gurcharan Singh Tohra during the party's vertical split in 1999.

''I and my associates have joined hands with Mr Badal unconditionally, but with a promise from Mr Badal that the Akalis would form the government and resolve several issues concerning the people of the state,'' Mr Chandumajra said.

Mr Badal again appealed to ''all individuals and parties to join hands with the Shiromani Akali Dal against the Congress''.

UNI