In a jolt to Congress in Punjab ahead of assembly polls, Malwinder Singh, brother of former chief minister Amarinder Singh, on Saturday joined ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) after he was not given nomination from Samana Assembly seat.
Congress refused nomination to Malwinder from Samana and nominated Amarinder's son Raninder, leading to protests from him. Malwinder told a press conference here that "(It is an) unconditional (support). I have not joined with any precondition. I am joining because the value system of Congress has changed…Congress party now is not which it used to be earlier", Malwinder said. Accusing Congress of neglecting old party workers, the former army captain said "I am not here (in SAD) to contest. I am here (SAD) on principle", he said
Asked if SAD wanted him to contest elections, Malwinder put the onus on SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal.
"I am not contesting (election). I am supporting Akali Dal. It is up to him (Sukhbir) to decide," he said.
Malwinder expressed his unhappiness over not being given ticket from Samana Assembly, which he claimed to have nurtured for the last 35 years. "If this is the selection process, then what is the justification (in devoting time for the party)"? he said.