Retired IFS officer joins AAP

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 24

A retired Indian Foreign Service officer, Ramesh Chander, today joined Aam Aadmi Party giving a fresh boost to its Dalit and NRI vote bank.

Prior to his retirement in December 2010, Ramesh was an Ambassador of India to Belarus and has earlier held important positions as Consul General of India in Edinburgh, UK, and Minister of the Embassy of India in Prague. Besides, he has also served on various diplomatic posts in Asia, Africa and Europe.

His joining in the party was attended by Jalandhar Zonal Observer Rajiv Choudhary and Jalandhar Zonal Coordinator Dr HS Cheema. A graduate from DAV College here, he has several local connections too. He shared, "I was born and brought up in Bootan Mandi (the locality is dominated by the SCs). After my retirement, I was residing in Delhi and writing my blogs. But my roots were pulling me back. So, now I have settled at Khurla Kingra here and I have chosen to devote myself for the uplifting of the weaker sections."

Asked if he was interested in fighting polls, he said, "I have joined the party unconditionally but given a choice, I can give a good fight from the reserved Jalandhar West seat."