Chhajjalwaddi resigns from post of PPCC general secretary

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 13

In protest of Congress ticket to Santokh Singh Bhalaipur from Baba Bakala constituency, veteran party leader Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi resigned from the post of general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). He claimed that his son and a large number of Youth Congress activists also resigned from their posts today.

Chhajjalwaddi gave an ultimatum of 24 hours to the Congress Party to rethink on its decision. “If the Congress does not revise its decision, we will contest as independent against the party candidate. We will file our nominations on January 17,” said Chhajjalwaddi.

The party had announced the name of Santokh Singh Bhalaipur as the Congress candidate from Baba Bakala yesterday. Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi has called a meeting to decide next line of action.

“There is a strong resentment among Congress activists after the name of Bhalaipur for the ticket was announced. They have gathered at our residence and decided to leave the party, which is not concerned about its workers,” said Chhajjalwaddi.

He claimed that Bhalaipur had left the Congress in 2012 and worked as office in-charge of the rebel candidate during Assembly elections.

He said, “There is factionalism within the Congress from the last 10 years. Bhalaipur is associated with former Congress MLA Jasbir Singh Dimpa.”

Reacting on the move of Chhajjalwaddi, Dimpa said, “We welcome decision of the party. I don’t know what Chhajjalwaddi will do. But, we will support party candidate Bhalaipur”.