Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
India

Ex-Akali Leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia Joins Up Cabinet, Party Calls It Betrayal

Darpan News Desk IANS, 31 Oct, 2015 10:31 AM
    Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on Saturday accused its former senior leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia of "betrayal" and dubbed him "power hungry" after he was sworn in as a cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh.
     
    "Ramoowalia has displayed the height of political opportunism and power hunger by betraying the party that gave him everything to hitch his boat with the Samajwadi Party," the party said in a strongly worded reaction within hours of Ramoowalia's swearing-in as an Uttar Pradesh minister.
     
    Ramoowalia, a former union minister and an ex-parliamentarian, merged his Lok Bhilai Party with the Akali Dal in November 2011, ahead of the January 2012 assembly polls in Punjab. 
     
    He contested the Mohali assembly seat in 2012 but was defeated.
     
    "Ramoowalia's action is reminiscent of the days of 'aaya ram gaya ram' politics," senior Akali Dal leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Prem Singh Chandumajra and Daljit Singh Cheema said in a statement here.
     
    On the other hand, Congress leader and former chief minister Amarinder Singh said Ramoowalia's move was "just the beginning of a massive exodus of leaders and workers from the Akali Dal".
     
    "It is a classic case of rats deserting a sinking ship. Gradually, all the rats will desert the Akali Dal before its ship sinks in the storm of widespread public outrage and outcry," Amarinder said in a statement on Saturday.
     
    "The very fact that Akali leaders have started seeking political asylum in far-off states clearly indicates that nobody is prepared to accept them in Punjab and hence they are running away for shelter to other states," the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha said.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    15-Years-Old Too Must Get Death For Rape: Arvind Kejriwal

    15-Years-Old Too Must Get Death For Rape: Arvind Kejriwal
    Juveniles who are 15 years old too must get death penalty if they commit rape, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday.

    15-Years-Old Too Must Get Death For Rape: Arvind Kejriwal

    Indian President Pranab Mukherjee Calls For Tolerance As Intolerance Peaks

    In a repetition of what the Shiv Sena did to noted journalist Sudheendra Kulkarni in Mumbai, members of the little known Hindu Sena smeared ink on independent Kashmir legislator Engineer Rashid's face here.

    Indian President Pranab Mukherjee Calls For Tolerance As Intolerance Peaks

    Congress Lawmaker Ramanjit Singh Sikki Resigns Over Punjab's 'Deteriorating' Situation

    Congress Lawmaker Ramanjit Singh Sikki Resigns Over Punjab's 'Deteriorating' Situation
    Ramanjit Singh Sikki, MLA from Khadur Sahib assembly segment in Tarn Taran district, sent his resignation to the assembly speaker, party sources said.

    Congress Lawmaker Ramanjit Singh Sikki Resigns Over Punjab's 'Deteriorating' Situation

    Three Injured In Mini-stampede To See 'World's Largest Durga Idol' In Kolkota

    Three Injured In Mini-stampede To See 'World's Largest Durga Idol' In Kolkota
    The Deshapriya park marquee, which had drawn over one lakh visitors on Saturday, attracted an equally huge crowd on Sunday, stalling traffic movement in south Kolkata.

    Three Injured In Mini-stampede To See 'World's Largest Durga Idol' In Kolkota

    When Pakistan’s ISI Snooped On Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh

    When Pakistan’s ISI Snooped On Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh
    Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh drew huge crowds in Pakistan during his maiden trip to the country in 1979 even as he remained under surveillance by a Pakistani intelligence official

    When Pakistan’s ISI Snooped On Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh

    Urdu Poet Munawar Rana Returns Sahitya Akademi Award, Vows Never To Accept Any Govt Award

    Urdu Poet Munawar Rana Returns Sahitya Akademi Award, Vows Never To Accept Any Govt Award
    In a dramatic twist, popular Urdu poet Munawwar Rana on Sunday took to television to hand over his Sahitya Akademi award along with a Rs 1 lakh cash prize and vowed never to accept any government award in future.

    Urdu Poet Munawar Rana Returns Sahitya Akademi Award, Vows Never To Accept Any Govt Award