U-turn by Gosain, denies quitting BJP

Ludhiana: In a U-turn, three-time MLA and former Deputy Speaker Satpal Gosain on Sunday denied that he had quit the BJP and joined the Congress. After a closed-door meeting with state party president Vijay Sampla at his residence in Kidwai Nagar here, Gosain said he was still loyal to the saffron party. The former minister said he had been misquoted about the allegations that money was demanded from him for the ticket. He accused the media of overplaying his “simple meeting” with PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh. Sampla said Gosain had never quit, so it was wrong to say that he had “returned” to the party fold. OC

Rinwa quits Cong, turns Independent 

Fazilka: Former Congress MLA Mohinder Kumar Rinwa on Sunday quit the party in protest against the denial of ticket from the Fazilka Assembly seat. The PPCC general secretary announced to contest as an Independent. He also opened his election office in local Ghas Mandi. In a statement, Rinwa’s office said about 140 party office-bearers and workers had quit the Congress as the high command had given the ticket to Davinder Singh, son of Akali MP Sher Singh Ghubaya. Other leaders who resigned included PPCC secretaries Parmjit Mahant and Ashok Watts and Block Congress Committee (Rural) president Des Raj Jandwalai.Praful Chander Nagpal

Rajasthani Sikh to contest from Lambi 

Abohar: The Simranjit Singh Mann-led Panthic Morcha on Sunday announced to field Baljinder Singh Morjand against Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi. He will file papers on Tuesday. Baljinder belongs to 

Morjand Sikhan village in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. His father, Gurmail Singh, is the incharge of the rural sub post office there. Baljinder taught at a private college in Chhapianwali village of Lambi. Baljinder was one of the core panel members who planned to form the Rajasthan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which is yet to be recognised. Raj Sadosh