Dissidence is just emotional outburst: Amarinder

Patiala, Jan 19 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today claimed that there was no dissidence in the ruling party and outburst by a few aspirants were ''a case of emotional outburst'' after they were denied party tickets for the assembly polls''.

''I don't think that dissidence will be problem for Congress'', he said, addressing a press conference here today. This was his first interaction with the media after the allotment of party tickets by the Congress high command.

Commenting on the outburst by Kharar MLA Bir Devinder Singh, after he was has denied a party ticket, Capt Singh said that he did not think the leader would leave the party. Out of 937 applicants for 117 constituencies we can accommodate only one, not all,'' he added.

''Congress is such a big party and such small things happened and this will have no impact on us'', Capt Singh noted.

When asked about reconciliation with the dissidents, he said that their grievances would be settled. He said that decision of allotment of the tickets was taken by the Congress President and the state Congress had only forward the list to the high command.

Categorically refuting charges by Mr Bir Devinder and others that he had a role in the allotment of tickets, the Chief Minister said that the Congress high command had chosen the best candidates and the party would get a three fourth's majority in the polls.

Regarding the allotment of tickets for the remaining three assembly constituencies of Samana, Talwandi Sabo and Bathinda and the Amritsar Parlaimentary seat, he said that names for these seats would be announced by Monday.

According to the Chief Minister, the party manifesto was being finalized and would be released next week.

UNI