The Hindu : Other States News : Amarinder returns home to a grand welcome

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Amarinder returns home to a grand welcome

Special Correspondent

Says organising party workers against Akali-BJP regime’s repression is his priority

PATIALA: Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was accorded an enthusiastic reception by the party rank and file when he returned to the State on Friday after being appointed the chairman of the party’s campaign committee for Punjab.

On reaching Punjab at the Shambu border, Captain Singh boarded an open vehicle. Congress workers who had braved inclement weather waiting for him showered flower petals, raised slogans and danced to the beat of the dhol (drums).

Flanked by his brother Malwinder Singh, son Raninder Singh, MLAs Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu and Gurpreet Singh Kangar and the president of the Punjab Youth Congress, Vijayinder Singla, Capt. Singh accepted bouquets and greetings from his supporters.

Traffic delayed

At least 28 of 44 Congress MLAs, a large number of former Ministers and MLAs had arrived along with their supporters. Traffic was delayed on the six-lane National Highway No.1.

At least half a dozen MLAs, including Congress Legislature Party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, are reported to be out of the country. Capt. Singh reached his home town Patiala late in the evening.

Before arriving at his Moti Bagh Palace residence, Capt. Singh paid obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Dukhnivaran and the Mandir Kali Mata at the Sheranwala Chowk. People of the city turned up in large numbers to welcome him.

Talking to reporters, he said organising party workers to stand up against the Akali-BJP regime’s repression was his priority.

He would organise the Congress to not only win all the 13 Lok Sabha seats from Punjab during the coming Lok Sabha elections but also expose the failures of the Parkash Singh Badal government.

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