All Congress legislators in Punjab assembly today endorsed the party's decision to boycott the Khadoor Sahab assembly bypoll.
In a joint statement, all legislators, including Congress Legislative Party leader Charanjit Singh Channi, senior vice president Lal Singh, former CLP leader Sunil Jakhar and vice chairman of the PPCC campaign committee Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, supported the "right decision" of the party to boycott the February 13 Khadoor Sahib bye-election.
"All the sitting Congress legislators in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today supported the boycott of the Khadoor Sahab assembly bye-election decided by the party yesterday," a statement issued on behalf of PCC chief Amarinder Singh said.
"Since the issue of desecration and killing of peaceful and innocent protestors by the police, in protest against which our colleague Ramanjit Singh Sikki resigned, continues to remain unresolved, there is no point in contesting the election," they said as per the statement.
It quoted them as saying further that "contesting the bye-election when the issues remain unresolved would have defeated the very purpose of resignation for which it was submitted".
The boycott decision has been criticised by senior party leader Jagmeet Singh Brar, who accused PCC chief Amarinder Singh of taking the call "unilaterally" without consulting senior party leaders.
He had yesterday termed the decision a "blunder" and accused Amarinder of "playing fraud".
"I wonder, if AmbikaJee, Bhattal, Lal singh, Jakhar, Channi, Bajwa were consulted before Amarinder unilaterally boycotted Khadoor Sahib bypoll," Brar said today.
Criticising the decision of party MLAs endorsing the move, he said that "by getting 20 signatures of 2015 model Congress leaders, turn coats, another self goal, self defeating, foolish move.
Attacking Amarinder, Brar tweeted, "I have not spoken
against High command, nor floated Jat Mahasabha, never said, I don't recognise PCC President. Truth is bitter."
He was taking a dig at Amarinder for having formed the Jat Mahasabha when he was ousted as Punjab Congress President after losing the assembly polls to Akalis.
"Khadoor Sahib Sonia Gandhi approves Congress candidate, we run away from contest. Humongous fraud, betrayal, Amarinder backstabs again," Brar said.
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has issued a separate statement already supporting the party decision to boycott the by-election, a party statement said.
Brar also said "we must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. This mindset kills democracy."
Continuing his attack on Amarinder, he said, "His excellency, Never criticise anybody until you have walked a mile in his shoes. My life struggle, your power.
