Buta campaigns for Congress and nephew in Punjab

Phagwara, Jan 25 (UNI) Former Bihar Governor Buta Singh today termed the promise of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP to provide 'atta' (wheat flour) and 'dal' (pulses) at Rs 4 per kg and Rs 20 per kg respectively in Punjab ''a hollow commitment''.

''The Akalis always make irresponsible statements and promises which they never fulfilled in the past and will never be able to fulfill,'' he said while talking to mediapersons here.

Mr Buta Singh who was here to campaign for his nephew and Congress candidate from Phagwara (Reserve), Joginder Singh Mann, said a united Punjab Congress was fighting the polls.

''Dissidence is a natural outburst, after one is denied party nomination,'' he said while replying to a query.

He appealed to all Congressmen to sink their differences, and work to ensure the victory of the PARTY in Punjab. ''The Congress alone can assure the progess and development of the country,'' he added.

Mr Buta Singh was all praise for the Election Commission, as it was perhaps for the first time that it had sent notices to present and former chief ministers--- Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Parkash singh Badal, the SAD chief, for alleged violation of the code of conduct.

He claimed that the Congress would retain power in Punjab as it had lived upto the aspirations of the people in the last five years.

UNI