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Differences in Punjab Cong over Mann’s induction

Speculation over entry of Aam Aadmi Party’s popular face in the ruling party causes rift

Differences in Punjab Cong over Mann’s induction

Bhagwant Mann (Photo: Facebook)

Differences have come to the fore in the Congress in Punjab over the suggestion to induct Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) popular face in Punjab and Lok Sabha member, Bhagwant Mann (in photo) into the ruling party.

After the Congress’s Ludhiana member of Parliament (MP), Ravneet SinghBittu on Monday suggested that AAP’s star campaigner and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann should be brought into the Congress fold as he could be a force multiplier in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister (CM) expressed surprise at Bittu’s reported media statement.

Reacting sharply to Congress MP’s suggestion on bringing AAP leader Bhagwant Mann into the Punjab Congress, CM Amarinder Singh on Tuesday urged all party leaders to refrain from making such public statements.

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Amarinder Singh further said that such statements could fuel speculation which could be detrimental to the Congress party’s interest in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

It was the prerogative of the party high command to take any decision on the induction of leaders from other parties into the Congress fold, said the CM, adding that no party MP, MLA or other leaders should come out with public statements in this regard.

“If they have any opinion on any such matter, they should share their suggestions in party forums, said Amarinder, adding that the party platform was the right place for discussing opinions related to party issues.

He said the Ludhiana MP should have come with his views either to the party general secretary or the PPCC president or to him (the CM).

Amarinder said as per the party rules, special permission of the Congress president was required for the induction of members of Parliament into the party.

Bittu was a senior Congress leader and well aware of the systems and processes that need to be followed in such cases, said Amarinder Singh, adding that using a public forum to air views on party related matters was against the Constitutional ethos of the party.

Mann is believed to be unhappy with the AAP leadership in Delhi and has made his displeasure known by resigning earlier as party’s state unit president after outfit chief Arvind Kejriwal tendered apology to Shiromani Akali Dal leader, Bikram Singh Majithia.

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