Close X
Friday, November 22, 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

    I Spoke With PM Modi On Food And Spices: Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

    I Spoke With PM Modi On Food And Spices: Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
    During Modi's trip to Abu Dhabi in August, Kapoor was flown in specially to prepare a vegetarian meal for the strictly vegetarian prime minister.

    I Spoke With PM Modi On Food And Spices: Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

    Dussehra Special: Where Ravana's Effigy Isn't Burnt

    Dussehra Special: Where Ravana's Effigy Isn't Burnt
    Locals believe that Ravana was devotee of Lord Shiva and burning his effigy will invite the wrath of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

    Dussehra Special: Where Ravana's Effigy Isn't Burnt

    Congress Attacks BJP For Rahul Photo Remark

    Congress Attacks BJP For Rahul Photo Remark
    No one indulges in photo opportunities more than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the media.

    Congress Attacks BJP For Rahul Photo Remark

    Indian Beauty Priyanka Khurana Goyal Wins Mrs. Earth 2015 Pageant

    Indian Beauty Priyanka Khurana Goyal Wins Mrs. Earth 2015 Pageant
    Priyanka, who won the Mrs. India, Queen of Substance 2015 title in February, was crowned as Mrs. Earth 2015 at a ceremonyd at Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa 

    Indian Beauty Priyanka Khurana Goyal Wins Mrs. Earth 2015 Pageant

    Justin Trudeau's Deficit Plans Won't Be Followed In B.C., Says Finance Minister Mike de Jong

    British Columbia's mayors are expected to jump in line for some of the cash Justin Trudeau's federal Liberals have promised to put toward rebuilding Canada's crumbling infrastructure.

    Justin Trudeau's Deficit Plans Won't Be Followed In B.C., Says Finance Minister Mike de Jong

    Uber Rape Case: Cab Driver Convicted, Sentencing On Friday

    Uber Rape Case: Cab Driver Convicted, Sentencing On Friday
    Police said Yadav drove the woman, who lived in Inderlok area of central Delhi, to an isolated place and raped her.

    Uber Rape Case: Cab Driver Convicted, Sentencing On Friday