BJP veteran Gosain joins Congress

Chandigarh: A day after the BJP denied him the ticket, veteran leader Satpal Gosain joined the Congress on Friday here along with his supporters in the presence of Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh. Gosain, a former Health Minister, was also the Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha. His grandson and Ludhiana BJP spokesperson, Amit Gosain, also joined the Congress, along with sitting BJP councillor Gurdeep Singh Neetu. Amarinder said Gosain’s entry was an indicator of a wave in favour of the Congress. TNS

AAP, SAD leaders in Cong fold 

Chandigarh: AAP leader from Maur Simrat Kaur Dhaliwal, who was the party's Punjab women's wing president, joined the Congress on Friday. Besides, Ashok Prashar Pappi, who was the Congress candidate from Ludhiana (East) in the 2012 elections, returned to the Congress fold five months after quitting the party. Two SAD leaders, including Birender Goel, has been brought into the Congress fold. TNS

Former Cong MLA joins SAD 

Jalandhar: Ram Kishan Kataria, two-time Congress MLA from Balachaur, on Friday joined the SAD. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal was scheduled to visit Kataria’s house, but he could not make it. Doaba YAD incharge Sarabjot Saabi inducted Kataria into the party fold. Kataria’s daughter-in-law Santosh Kataria was a claimant for the Congress ticket, but it was given to Darshan Singh Manguwal. TNS

Khaira files nomination on birthday

Jalandhar/Ferozepur:  AAP candidate Sukhpal Khaira filed his nomination from Bholath on his birthday on Friday. He was accompanied by party leader Sanjay Singh. His son, Mehtab Singh, an advocate, is his covering candidate. As per Khaira’s declaration, his total assets are pegged at Rs 52.68 crore. SAD candidate and Ferozepur (Rural) MLA Joginder Singh and Rakesh Kumar, BSP nominee from Ferozepur (Urban), also filed papers on Friday. tns