BJP leader, supporters join Congress

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7

A few persons joined the Congress while some others left the party today.

Dr OP Verma, a BJP leader, and Bhagat Raj, a Scheduled Caste employees’ leader, along with their supporters, joined the Congress in the presence of former Union Minister and treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal and CTCC president Subhash Chawla.

According to party general secretary and chief spokesperson HS Lucky, both leaders, along with their supporters, today formally joined the Congress and pledged support to the party.

Welcoming both leaders, Chawla assured them that the party would fully utilise their services and give them important assignments in future. Lucky said these leaders would further strengthen the party.

Dr Verma said he joined the Congress unconditionally and would not seek party ticket for the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections. “I will work for party candidates in the city,” he added.

Cong leaders resign

Meanwhile, Congress’ ex-block president Harjinder Singh Bawa and nine former office-bearers resigned from the primary membership of the party. They are said to be close associates of former Congress city unit president Pardeep Chhabra.

In their letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi they stated, “We are hurt due to the treatment meted out to Chhabra.” They blamed Bansal for the development.