MS Gill open to contesting Punjab assembly polls

New Delhi, Mar 15: Former Union Minister MS Gill, who is retiring from Rajya Sabha this year, today suggested in a lighter vein that he is open to contesting upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab.

Speaking at a function to felicitate retired and retiring Rajya Sabha members, Gill told Deputy Chairman of the Upper House PJ Kurien that he got "depression" when he was told repeatedly in the House by him that he has retired.

Talking warmly about his relationship with political parties across the spectrum when he was the Chief Election Commissioner, Gill thanked them for still calling him with love.

Turning to Kurien, he said, "I did not like one thing. You told me that I am retiring, I have retired but I should not fall. I got some depression then and there. Here again you said all this more forcefully. I was about to fall thinking what has happened, what will I do. Life is now finished.

"But remember I have retired from here. I have not retired from life. You do not know in what form and where will you see me in future."

Asserting that he is a person who looks forward and cannot look back, Gill said,"I will see what happens, what comes. Kurien has given me an idea. He said there are some strong politicians like Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder who have come back to the House and others will also come.

"It's not that the rest cannot come in the field. So you are telling me that elections are happening in Punjab and I must contest that. Get me a ticket. Ask them," Gill said.

Gill has served two terms in Rajya Sabha as a Congress member representing Punjab and was Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in UPA government.

PTI