CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday warned police officers against "blindly following the dictates of the Akali-BJP regime in the State to target the Congress rank and file while unleashing political vendetta".

Capt. Singh was addressing a gathering of Congress workers who had turned out in large numbers at Shambhu in Patiala district as he arrived in Punjab for the first time since his recent return from London, where he had gone for a medical check-up immediately after his party's defeat in the Assembly elections.

The scion of the royal family of the erstwhile princely State was cheered by many as he arrived in an open jeep almost two hours behind schedule. About 20 legislators and some former Ministers were among those who received Capt. Singh, fondly referred to as "Maharaja Sahib". Talking to reporters informally, Capt. Singh said the impressive turnout of party members, despite repression by the Akali regime, indicated that the tide had turned in favour of the Congress once again. He reiterated his resolve to stand up against what he called the high-handedness of the State Government.

Responding to a question, the former Chief Minister asserted that none of the Ministers in his Cabinet had indulged in corruption. He said that all cases, including the Ludhiana City Centre scandal, were based on concocted stories which would not stand the scrutiny of the judicial system once they come up for trial. He assured "all support" to those who were being victimised through false cases.

Capt. Singh refused to accept that there was any division in the party. He assured complete co-operation with the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and the "acting" president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Shamsher Singh Dullo, to revive the party at all levels. He said the party was united under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and prepared to face challenges.

When his attention was drawn to Mr. Dullo's statements in the media accusing him of being responsible for the party's defeat in the elections, Capt. Singh said that though as Chief Minister he had then accepted responsibility, "everybody knows who contributed towards the defeat".

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