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Punjab Congress chief admits `failings' during party rule

Calls for priority on controlling prices of essential commodities

Chandigarh: Admitting to a "few shortcomings" in the functioning of Amarinder Singh government in the State, Punjab Congress Committee chief Shamsher Singh Dullo demanded priority to control on hike in prices of essential commodities by the government. Besides, the Backward Classes (BCs) in the State must be provided same benefits, including free power, given to Scheduled Castes, Mr. Dullo told reporters here after chairing a meeting of party's top functionaries convened to chalk-out strategy for Chief Minister's proposed `Vikas yatra' in all 117 Assembly constituencies in the State from Wednesday.

He said during his `Mass Contact Programme' in the State, which ended on Monday, party workers and the general public complained to him about hike in prices of essential commodities and extension of no benefits to the BCs. "I have apprised Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of the two issues and he sounded positive for doing something on these fronts," the PCC chief said.

Mr. Dullo said he and Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal would accompany Amarinder Singh for a brief period during his `Vikas Yatra'.

"I will accompany the Chief Minister till November 12," he said adding that the party would hold a rally in Ludhiana on November 14 where party's in charge for Punjab and AICC general secretary Janardhan Diwedi would be a key speaker.

Reiterating that winnability would be the sole criterion in allocation of party tickets for ensuing Assembly polls, he said, "No one, including myself, is sure of a Congress ticket."

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