Congress to expel rebels for life

Tribune Reporters

Chandigarh/jalandhar, Jan 20

With a day left for the withdrawal of nominations, the Punjab Congress today went into an overdrive to dissuade its rebels, who have filed their papers as Independents.

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh called up some of the rebels to mollify them.

“Those who refuse to toe the party line will be expelled from the party for life and barred from re-entering the party fold. The party will not accept defiance from the rebels,” he said.

In spite of warning of being expelled from the party, certain Congress dissidents failed to budge. Ashok Sharma, who is contesting as an Independent from Pathankot against party’s nominee Amit Vij, said, “There is no chance of withdrawing my nomination. I am holding a roadshow tomorrow.”

A party leader from Maur, Bhupinder Gora, said he was adamant on fighting the elections. Rajinder Deepa, a former general secretary of the state Congress from Sunam, said he was touring his constituency tomorrow.

The Congress said the leadership had quashed rebellion in most of the 20-odd constituencies.

Trouble in Doaba

Nimisha Mehta, who has filed papers as an Independent from Garhshankar, said, “Asha Kumari called me. But I am adamant on contesting. Congress workers are upset over ticket distribution.”

From Banga, former Congress legislator Tarlochan Soondh has already filed his nomination as an Independent candidate.

Ex-Jalandhar Mayor Surinder Mahey has filed his papers from Jalandhar West, opposing the candidature of councillor Sushil Rinku. In Nakodar, former legislator Gurbinder Atwal is in fray as an Independent.