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Patiala, The verbal attack of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Partap Singh Bajwa and former Congress leader Jagmeet Singh Brar on Sunday left Preneet Kaur, a Congress MLA and wife of Captain Amarinder Singh, red-faced, as both pointed out that the Congress has given a ‘raw deal’ to late Jasjeet Singh Randhawa in 2012 assembly polls.
Both Bajwa and Brar were speaking at an event organised to pay tribute to Randhawa, who died after a brief illness.
Union rural development minister Birender Singh, former railways minister Pawan Bansal, PPCC vice-president Lal Singh, Patiala MLA Preneet Kaur, nearly 20 Congress sitting and former MLAs, Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi and senior politicians from across party lines were present at the event.
Former deputy speaker Bir Devinder read out party Presidnet Sonia Gandhi’s condolence message.
During the gathering, the area residents declared Randhawa’s daughter Anu as the political heir of the departed soul, and Bajwa said Congress ‘wont ignore’ the sentiments of public in coming elections
It was Jagmeet Brar who first launched the attack as he, without naming anyone, said: “It was sad that despite being popular, some persons with vested and personal interests had forced Randhawa to shift to Dera Bassi, Mohali from Ghanaur.”
“It was a raw deal to such a senior leader, who was connected with public. The shifting to a new constituency was in a bitter taste but my friend accepted it with large heart,” said Brar, leaving Preneet red-faced, who was present in gathering.
Ironically, Preneet in bid to give ticket to her protégé Madan Lal Jalalpur, had forced Randhawa to contest from Dera Bassi. Similarly, she opted her son Raninder Singh to contest from Samana, ignoring brother-in-law Raja Malwinder Singh, who later joined Akalis before 2012 elections.
At Dera Bassi, then Congress leader Deepinder Singh contested election as an independent leading to defeat of Randhawa.
After Brar, Bajwa publically announced that he admitted the Congress has not given a fair deal to Randhawa in the 2012 elections.
“But, as a PPCC president, I announce that the Congress will support Anu Randhawa in her future endeavour,” he said and asked Anu to meet area residents and live up to expectations.
In her address, Preneet termed Randhawa as a nobel soul and honest leader, who was known for his simplicity.
Congress leader Lal Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Ajaib Singh Mukhmialpur, AAP leader and Patiala MP Dharvira Gandhi also paid tributes to the soul.
