Congress Chief Whip bats for Amarinder as CM candidate in Punjab polls

PHAGWARA: Senior Congress leader Navtej Singh Cheema on Thursday said that he would prefer the party's Punjab unit president Captain Amarinder Singh to be the Chief Ministerial candidate as he is a "tried and tested leader".

"Personally, I would project Captain as the next CM as the days of 'waves' are over and the forthcoming elections would be personality-based," the Chief Whip of Congress in Punjab Assembly said.

He, however, added that it was for the Congress High Command to decide the party's Chief Ministerial candidate for Punjab Assembly elections slated to be held in 2017.

Amarinder is a tried and tested leader who is capable of steering clear Punjab out of its present political quagmire and financial mess, Cheema said.

Asserting that Congress faced no threat from AAP, the MLA from Sultanpur Lodhi said, "People of Punjab are fully aware that voting for AAP would mean casting ballot for SAD as it would directly benefit the Badals whom voters were itching to oust."

"We are in constant touch with like-minded parties, including BSP and left, for forming a grand alliance to rid Punjab of Badal clan and SAD-BJP misrule," Cheema said.

On reports of factionalism in local units of Congress, he said the issue would be tackled effectively.

"We are all determined to put up united fight to throw out SAD-BJP regime in Punjab and usher into an era of good, transparent and honest governance from Congress," Cheema added.

Cheema also said that Amarinder Singh would address a Congress workers' meeting at Bholath on January 4th to "galvanise the party".