Facing consecutive desertion of traditional party leaders and workers the factional ridden Punjab Congress today suffered a major set back as Advocate Ravinder Singh Ranu Gill, Secretary Punjab Pradesh Congress Legal Cell and former Vice President District Congress Moga joined Shiromani Akali Dal along with his supporters in the presence of party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal. Advocate Ravinder Singh Ranu Gill, a Congress worker since 1989, had held the positions of Secretary Bar Association Moga, General Secretary District Youth Congress Faridkot, Joint Secretary Youth Congress Punjab, General Secretary Youth Congress Punjab and Vice President District Congress Moga. This was said to be the major blow to the Congress candidate for Moga by-poll Mr. Vijay Sathi, who was already lagging far behind the SAD-BJP candidate Mr. Joginder Pal Jain. Advocate Ravinder Singh Ranu Gill said that Captain Amrinder Singh and Mr. Jagmeet Singh Brar had converted this by-election into a factional fight. He said that on one hand Captain was in Moga for twin purposes, first to save his PPCC presidential-ship and other to permanently corner his rival Brar after loosing this by-election, and on the other hand Brar too had ignored local workers and was busy in secret meetings with some ‘outsiders’ to ensure the change in ‘Captaincy’ after by-poll. Advocate Ranu Gill said that grassroot leaders and workers were suffering most because of this factionalism in the party. He said that they were dismayed by the state leadership as they have left the party workers as orphans. He said that there was no point serving in a party whose leaders were busy in factionalism. Advocate Ranu Gill said that they would work with their full strength and dedication to ensure the record victory of Mr. Jain.
Welcoming Advocate Ravinder Singh Ranu Gill and his supporters in the party fold, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Congress leaders from all the districts were making beeline to join Akali Dal as they were totally frustrated, disheartened and demoralized with their leaders fighting their own ego battles leaving party workers in lurch. He said that party was all set to register a record margin victory in the Moga by-poll.