Malvinder Singh joins the Akali Dal
Politics can sometimes take precedence over family. And that's just what seems to have happened here. Malvinder Singh, brother of former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has joined joining the rebel Akali Dal camp just ahead of the state elections. Amarinder Singh is the state chief of the Congress party.
Sources say that Malvinder quit the Congress after he wasn't given the party ticket from Samana. Instead his nephew and Amarinder's son Raninder bagged it. Malvinder alleges that Raninder's mother Preneet Kaur, a Union minister played politics with him. Says Malvinder Singh, "My nephew didn't file his nomination, his mother filed it on his behalf without telling him.'' He added that he would not reverse his decision and would remain with the Akali Dal.
The Akali Dal is rejoicing but is silent on whether it would field Malvinder in the upcoming polls. Says Sukhbir Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal: "Captain's (Amarinder Singh's) brother joining us shows clearly shows that their palace, their headquarter foundation has broken.''
Sources said that Malvinder was once considered to be close to the Gandhi family. But his brother Amarinder Singh denies this and says it was Congress president Sonia Gandhi who decided the candidates. He adds that his family had no role in this. Says Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab "Raninder's naming and ticket...I don't think Preneet has anything to do with this....this is entirely taken by the Congress president's level. Regarding my brother, yes he has been in the party for a long time...he was hoping to fight the seat."
Amarinder is the Congress candidate from Patiala city and his son who is contesting the assembly polls for the first time will be trying his luck from the outskirts of Patiala. Amarinder's wife is the sitting MP from Patiala...making it a bastion for the family. But Malvinder's exit is a setback for the Congress even though he has promised not to speak a word against his brother. Despite his professed silence the Akali Dal is confident that they will gain from his presence.