Janjivan Bureau
New Delhi: In its bid to strengthen its prospects in poll-bound Punjab, Congress is seeking to stitch up alliances with like-minded parties and held consultations with CPI today.
According to sources, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh held parleys with CPI leader D Raja at the former’s residence in Delhi, where party’s in-charge for Punjab affairs Asha Kumari was also present.
Sources said the leaders discussed possibilities of a tie-up and discussed some of the seats on which the two parties can work together.
Congress and CPI were in alliance in the state earlier.
No details were, however, available on what transpired between the two parties.
Meanwhile, two more Akali leaders today joined Congress, with Amarinder according a warm welcome to them and saying that it was a “homecoming” for them.
Two more Akali leaders – Ramesh Singla, a former MLA and Akali leader, as well and municipal councillor Ashok Bittu joined the Congress.
The two joined Congress unconditionally in the presence of Nabha MLA Sadhu Singh Dharmsot.
Ramesh Singla, who joined SAD in 2014, is an ex-Congress MLA from Nabha, as well as former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) general secretary and ex-PYC president. Bittu is a 5-time time councillor from Nabha and also joined SAD in 2014.
Meanwhile, Amarinder also dismissed speculation about any change in reservation policy, making it clear that there is no change in the party policy on the reservation issue.
Amarinder unequivocally asserted that the Congress policy on reservation stood as it was, and there was no question of any change with respect to the same, notwithstanding the needless controversy being triggered by vested forces with an eye on the assembly elections in the state.
