Bhajan to launch new party, claims support

Ambala, Mar 13 (UNI) Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal announced today that he will launch a new political party in a couple of months.

''A large number of Congress leaders and workers are with me who will act as dedicated cadres for the new organisation to be floated under my leadership in two-three months,'' he claimed.

The former Haryana Congress chief told reporters here that had there not been anti-defection law, he ''would have played his role to throw out the government''.

In reply to a question, Mr Bhajan Lal asserted that his elder son and Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan was with him and would act according to his wishes. He said that the latter was under no pressure or temptation from any quarter and would side with him.

Commenting on the suspension of his son Kuldip Bishnoi from Congress, he described the step as ''unjustified'' and ''totally wrong.

''I have already lodged protest against the suspension, he said while regretting that no heed was paid to his protest.

''For this, they would have to pay the price'', he decalred.

Lashing out at the Congress leadership, Mr Bhajan Lal said ''they would have to pay heavy price for their high handedness''.

He accused Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of not recognising the services rendered by him as a ''dedicated soldier'' of the party.

I have been repeatedly telling the High Command of the falling image of the party during the last two years and that ''people were not happy with the Congress since they didn't feel safe in the state,'' he said.

He stressed that majority of the Congress MLAs were with him and would join him when he formed the new party.

''Workers representing 36 'biradaris' are compelling me to announce the formation of new party,'' he claimed.

To a query about possible tie-up with the Bharatiya Janata Party, he, without ruling out the possibility, said it was not ''the time to say anything at this stage about having any alliance with the BJP''.

Mr Bhajan was addressing the media at the residence of Congress activist Aarti Gauri in the city and several party workers were present on the occasion.

UNI