SAD, BSP leaders join Congress in Punjab

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) Two Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders and one Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader today joined the Congress in Punjab.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh made the announcement at a press conference here. Joining the fold are Makhan Singh former MLA from Pakka Kalan, Nirmal Singh sitting MLA from Shatrana, both from SAD, alongwith Charanjit Singh Channi BSP ex-MP from Hoshiarpur.

Ajaib Singh Bhatti senior PCS officer and ADC from Ludhiana, also joined the Congress, he said.

Capt Singh said that in the last elections the party had won 63 seats out of a total of 117 seats and in the coming elections ''we hope to capture 74-plus seats''.

When asked about the strategy for campaigning, he said the people would come out in support of the development undertaken during his regime in the State. The campaign would focus on the ''corruption'' indulged in by the previous Akali Dal Government.

On the contrary, under his government more than 72,000 people have been provided employment purely on the basis of merit, he claimed.

On the question of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addressing the rallies, Mr Singh said so far nothing has been finalised.

The decision would be taken by the PCC, ''if Mr Rahul Gandhi joins the campaign, it would encourage the youths of the State''.

He said so far 936 candidatures have been received for the 117 assembly seats in the State, by his party.

State Congress President Shamsher Singh Dullo was also present at the press conference.

UNI