“We have opted out in view of incidents of sacrilege and Behbal Kalan shootout in which two youths were killed. For us, bringing culprits to book is more important” — Capt Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief
CHANDIGARH – Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh created quite a flutter Wednesday when he announced the party’s decision to boycott the Khadoor Sahib byelection, scheduled for February 13.
The Congress had only a few days ago cleared the candidature of Ramanjit Singh Sikki.
“There is no point in fighting the byelection when the issue of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib remains unresolved,” reasoned Amarinder. With the Aam Adami Party (AAP) also keeping away from the contest, it now seems a direct fight between Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Ravinder Singh Brahmpura and Bhai Baldeep Singh, who is backed by AAP rebels.
Sikki had resigned as MLA from the Khadoor Sahib Assembly seat on October 17 last year after incidents of sacrilege in his native Baath village and elsewhere.
“Ramanjit Sikki told the party high command that his conscience did not allow him to contest for the position he had relinquished over the issue of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib that had yet to be resolved. Nevertheless, he was ready to go by the party decision. After analysing the situation, the high command decided to boycott the byelection,” Amarinder said.
He was accompanied by AICC Secretary Harish Chaudhary, and PPCC senior vice-president Lal Singh.
Asked if the Congress was running away from a fight, he replied: “My reading is that most voters in the constituency will keep away and the voting percentage will be low. I squarely blame the Badal government for the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib. It was aimed to distract people from important issues, such as the farmers’ stir. The truth will come out if a probe is held.”
