Chandrashekhar appeals people of Punjab to vote for Congress

Jalandhar, Feb 10 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar-led Samajwadi Janta Party (SJP) has extended support to Congress nominees on 115 of the 117 Punjab assembly seats which are going to the polls on February 13.

The party national general secretary H N Sharma and Punjab unit president Darshan Singh Jeeda told reporters here today that party president Chandrashekhar had urged the people to cast their votes for Congress and defeat divisive forces.

Mr Sharma said Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had met the SJP president recently to seek his party's support for the Punjab assembly polls and Mr Chandrashekhar had decided to extend support to the Congress in the larger interest of the state and the nation.

He said the intention behind the decision was to strengthen the secular forces and keep the BJP and its ally, SAD, out of power.

Accordingly, the SJP had fielded its nominees on two seats-- Mukerian and Ludhiana East-- and decided to support and actively participate in campaign for Congress nominees in remaining 115 assembly segments.

UNI