Congress party today suffered a major setback as Mr. Jagroop Singh Takhtupura, who was the major contender for the party ticket from this constituency deserted Congress party along with former member Improvement Trust Moga Mr. Sakattar Singh and thousands of his supporters, and joined Shiromani Akali Dal in the presence of Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal during a press conference held at his residence.Mr. Jagroop Singh Takhtupura belongs to a traditional Congress family and was considered as a close aide of Captain Amrinder Singh. Mr. Takhtupura had held the positions of Secretary Punjab Pradesh Congress, Delegate Punjab Pradesh Congress, Chairman Market Committee Badhini, Block Samittee Member and President Truck Union Moga. This was said to be the major below to the Congress candidate Mr. Vijay Sathi, who was already lagging far behind the SAD-BJP candidate Mr. Joginder Pal Jain.
Committing to work with full strength to ensure the record victory of SAD-BJP Candidate, Mr. Takhtupura said that he and thousands of his supporters would guarantee record margin victory of Mr. Jain. He said that grassroot leaders and workers were suffering most because of the factionalism in the Congress party. He said that there was no point serving in a party whose leaders were busy in factionalism. He said that there was no point serving in a party whose leader was inaccessible and even after meeting him, senior party cadre has to introduce them to refresh the memory of sleepy leadership.
Welcoming Mr. Jagroop Singh Takhtupura and his supporters in the party fold, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that with this desertion the Congress campaign for Moga ended virtually. He 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 Shiromani Akali Dal was all set to register a record margin victory in the Moga by-poll.