Chandigarh: A losing candidate of the 2017 assembly elections was among AAP functionaries from Rampura Phool who joined the Congress on Thursday, alleging that the ruling party had failed to live up to the expectations of Punjab’s people.AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring welcomed Manjeet Singh Sidhu, who had contested for AAP from Rampur Phool in 2017 and lost to Congress’s Gurpreet Singh Kangar. In 2022, AAP had overlooked him for Balkar Singh Sidhu, who defeated Kangar and SAD candidate Sikander Singh Maluka.Rampura Phool municipal council president Goldy Verma, former presidents Nini Bansal and Suresh Bahia, and councillor Satish Kumar were among those who joined the party.Welcoming them into the party, Baghel said the inductions sent a clear message that people were becoming disillusioned with the AAP and were looking towards the Congress. He said the Congress was committed to providing a people-friendly govt that would work in the interests of Punjab.Warring said every new functionary joining the Congress strengthened the party’s morale and reinforced its resolve to work for Punjab. “Let us move forward unitedly with new energy and vigour for a better and prosperous future for Punjab,” he said.
