punjab-congress-chief-warring-slams-party-switchers-claims-people-will-give-befitting-reply

Congress is witnessing a series of 'resignations' ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the Punjab Congress President on Thursday, slammed those who are switching parties, quitting their political outfits. Warring says that the public will respond to such political leaders with a befitting reply via results in the approaching Lok Sabha polls.  

Warring made the remarks after three Congress leaders quit the party in the last three weeks. Former Congress MLA Gurpreet Singh GP joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on March 9 and was declared the party's candidate from the Fathegarh Sahib seat. A few days later, Raj Kumar Chabbewal, who was the MLA from Chabbewal, also joined the AAP. Three-time MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 26. 

Replying to a question on certain party leaders who have quit the Congress, Warring said people are intelligent enough and will give a befitting reply to them in the parliamentary election.  He said those who left the Congress were given everything by the party.  

"People will not tolerate them," Warring asserted while talking to reporters here. Former Punjab minister Malkit Singh Birmi and former MLA Luv Kumar Goldy rejoined the Congress on Thursday.  

Meanwhile, asked about the speculation on social media that he too might be joining the BJP, Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari said he has been a spokesperson of the grand old party for 20 years. "And one thing I have learned is not to dignify rumours and baseless speculation with a response. This is my response," he said.  

"We are among those who give siropas (robe of honour)," Tewari said. 

He meant that he was among the leaders who welcomed others into Congress rather than being welcomed by other parties.  A "siropa" is generally given to someone joining a political party. Congress general secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge Devender Yadav, while replying to a question, said the party will soon release its list of Lok Sabha poll candidates for the state. Polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held on June 1. The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.