Major setback to SAD, AAP as several leaders quit to join Punjab Congress

Chandigarh, November 3
In a major setback to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab, several senior party leaders joined the state Congress on Thursday, along with AAP Shri Hargobindur convenor, in the presence of Captain Amarinder Singh.
PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh, along with AICC general secretary (Punjab affairs) Asha Kumari, welcomed the new joinees to the party, describing the development as a sign of the total loss of confidence by Akalis in the corrupt Badals and complete disillusionment with `outsider’ AAP.
Former Rajya Sabha member Varinder Singh Bajwa joined the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) at a press conference held by Captain Amarinder after resigning as SAD political affairs committee member.
Charging SAD with being controlled by mafias and having no concern for the governance of Punjab, Bajwa said only Captain Amarinder could lead the state out of the quagmire it had been plunged into by the Badal government.
Thanking Captain Amarinder for welcoming him into the PPCC, AAP convenor Harvinder Pal Singh said AAP had proved to be a sham, with its leadership only concerned with furthering their vested interests. He said he had joined AAP believing it to be a positive alternative to the other parties in Punjab but had soon discovered that AAP was a party of outsiders who had no understanding of the problems of the people of the state. 
Having made a mess of Delhi since taking over its reins, AAP was now eyeing Punjab to promote its nefarious designs, said Harvinder, adding that only the Congress led by Captain Amarinder could save the state.
Another SAD leader to join PPCC was SAD general secretary Ram Parkash, brother of Kabir Das who recently left Punjab Congress to join the Akalis. Ram Parkash said he was completely disillusioned by SAD and had full faith in Captain Amarinder’s ability to save the state.
Hardev Singh, member of SAD working committee and Zila Parishad, as well as retired IAS officer TR Sarangal, were also welcomed by Captain Amarinder and Asha Kumari into the Congress fold, along with Harjinder Rehal, general secretary SAD Hoshiarpur.
All these Akali leaders alleged large-scale abuse of power and misrule by the Badal-led SAD, which they said had prompted them to look for a clean alternative in the form of the Congress.