In another major setback to the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), its two more leaders — Ramesh Singla and Ashok Bittu — on Wednesday joined the Punjab Congress.
Describing it as their “homecoming” into the party, Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh hailed the entry of Nabha stalwart Ramesh Singla, who is a former MlA and Akali leader, along with municipal councillor Ashok Bittu into the party fold as another jolt for the SAD, which was a sinking ship in Punjab.
The two joined the Congress unconditionally in the presence of Nabha MlA Sadhu Singh Dharmsot.
Ramesh Singla, who joined SAD in 2014, is an ex-Congress MlA from Nabha, as well as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee’s (PPCC) former general secretary and Punjab Youth Congress’ former president. Bittu is a five-time councillor from Nabha and also joined SAD in 2014.
Expressing full faith in Capt Amarinder’s leadership, Singla said that the wrong policies of the Akali government had inflicted heavy damage on the state. He accused the Badals of selling the interests of the state for their personal gains, adding that the Badal government was synonymous with scams.