Withdraw nominations or face expulsion: Capt Amarinder tells rebels

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today warned all rebels contesting against party’s official candidates in the 30 January state assembly election to withdraw from the contest or face expulsion. In a statement here, he said indiscipline would not be tolerated at any cost, adding Congress president Sonia Gandhi had also very clear views in this regard. Amarinder asked the rebels to withdraw from the contest by tomorrow or face expulsion from the party for five years. “Gandhi has made it clear that five years means five years,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_182812” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Captain Amarinder Singh in this 2009 file photo. AFP”]  [/caption] Amarinder, who had talked tough saying blackmailing tactics by rebels will not be tolerated, had tried to persuade them yesterday to withdraw their nominations. Amarinder claimed that 29 rebels had withdrawn from the contest in favour of the Congress candidates. “The rest would fall in line soon, and by the day of polling, there will be no rebellion in the party,” he said. Asked whether he would press for re-opening of alleged corruption cases against Badals, he said, “Efforts will now be made to take Punjab ahead…We are not bothered about Badals now. The Congress will not waste time targeting certain leaders.” He rejected suggestions that by not declaring the Chief ministerial candidate, the Congress is in disadvantageous position. On the occasion, some political outfits including Bahujan Vikas Party, Bharat Vikas Party merged into the Congress and announced to withdraw their candidates in favour of Congress nominees. PTI