In a jolt to Congress in Punjab ahead of the 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.
The 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 the Congress has changed. The Congress party now is not which it used to be earlier,” Malwinder said.
Accusing the 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 the 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.
Asked whether Union minister Preneet Kaur, wife of Amarinder, spoilt his chances in securing a ticket from the Congress, Malwinder said: “I cannot say about Preneet. There is some maryada (custom) in India. If my nephew (Raninder Singh who is the son of Amarinder Singh) had shown any inclination (towards ticket), had he asked me I would gave given away (ticket),” he said.
Meanwhile, seeking to downplay opposition from some party leaders due to denial of party tickets, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh said the reactions were momentary and things would settle down soon.