Former Punjab DGP joins hands with Badal

Zira, Ferozepur Jan 11 (UNI) Former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) M S Bhullar today joined hands with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Parkash Singh Badal to take on the ruling Congress in the February 13 assembly elections.

Mr Bhullar, who was asked to head the Punjab Police when Capt Amarinder Singh took over as Chief Minister from Mr Badal in 2002, announced his decision to join the SAD at a function here. Mr Badal himself was present to welcome the former DGP, who was considered a close confidant of Capt Singh.

Along with the DGP, his son Kuldeep Singh Bhullar, who was an aspirant for the Congress ticket in the polls, quit the ruling party to join the Akalis.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Badal said that if voted to power the SAD-BJP will form a Sports Authority in Punjab. He made this announcement while lauding the former DGP's love for sports and the manner in which he promoted sportspersons when he was in service, particularly during his stint with the Punjab Armed Police (PAP).

Mr M S Bhullar's move will boost the morale of the SAD in the Ferozpur belt as the former DGP commands a lot of respect in the area. The move by the senior Bhullar comes at a time when the SAD is pressing the Election Commission to shift the present DGP S S Virk, as under him elections could not be conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

Mr Kuldeep Singh Bhullar had unsuccessfully contested the Zira assembly seat in the last elections and had lost by a narrow margin to the SAD candidate Hari Singh Zira. by marginal margin.

UNI