Ex-BSP leaders join Congress

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 18

The poll campaign of Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal got a boost today when former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders Jannat Jahan and Hafiz Anwar-ul-Haq joined the party. Senior party leader Manish Tewari, who was a contender for the party ticket from Chandigarh, also extended full support to Bansal.

Cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin was also present on the occasion.

Jannat Jahan had fought the LS poll from Chandigarh on the BSP ticket and also remained a councillor.

Speaking at Congress Bhawan on the occasion, Jannat Jahan said she got inspired by the new “pro-poor, pro-minority manifesto” released by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. She said Bansal’s victory was already certain and with her entry, only the victory margin would increase.

The Congress put up a show of unity when former Union Minister Manish Tewari, who is the party candidate from the Anandpur Sahib constituency, came out in full support of Bansal. 

Azharuddin attacked the BJP and said it had failed to fulfil its promises.

Bansal welcomed  the leaders into the party fold and said it would boost his campaign. Bansal said the party  had also  invited  Navjot Singh Sidhu to join the campaign. Sidhu’s wife, who  was also a contender for the ticket, is  yet to join the campaign.

Among others present on the occasion were Punjab Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Punjab Congress MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra, Chandigarh Congress president Pardeep Chhabra and senior leaders Subhash Chawla, Devinder Singh Babla, Harmohinder Singh Lucky and Gurpreet Singh Gabi.