Asserting that the Congress rebels who had refused to withdraw from the contest were being financed by the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said that disciplinary action will be taken against all of them and matter will also be probed after Congress comes to power.
Capt Amarinder reiterated that Sukhbir Badal was using the vigilance bureau for the transportation of money to pay the rebels and other people. Dismissing the vigilance Director Sumedh Singh Saini’s defence and denials on the issue, he said, Saini’s plight was understandable as he was trying to reciprocate the favour to Sukhbir as his government had helped him in the murder cases pending against him.
In an informal conversation with reporters at the Congress Bhawan here today, the PCC President said, he had confirmed reports that the rebels were being paid huge money by the Deputy Chief Minister ranging between Rs fifty lakh to Rs one crore each so that they do not withdraw and damage the prospects of the Congress candidates.
However, he added, the rebels were not a serious problem for the party, but it was important to ensure that discipline is maintained at all costs. He revealed that the rebels were being paid in installments as a particular amount was paid till January 16, the last date of the nominations as an advance and the remaining after that to ensure that they remained in the fray. He said, while the issue will be probed after Congress forms the government, before that action will be taken against all the rebels in a day or two.
Replying to another question Capt Amarinder said, the Congress was certain to win at least 70 seats as there was groundswell of support in favour of the party. He pointed out, people have been joining the party in big numbers whether from the Shiromani Akal Dal-Badal, the BJP, the BSP or the People’s Party of Punjab. “These are no isolated developments but indicative of a clear trend that Congress is coming to power”, he pointed out, while asking, why should otherwise people resign from their parties and join the Congress.
Asked about his reaction to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi coming to Punjab for campaigning and certain people voicing their opposition, he said, India is a free country and anybody can campaign for anyone he or she likes. “Everybody has a right to campaign or support anybody he wants to, why should anybody have a problem?” he asked.