2014 polls: Ex-cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi bats for Captain Amarinder Singh

Former Indian cricket captain and legendary left-arm spinner Bishen Singh Bedi today announced his support for Congress Party candidate and former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Bedi, who arrived here with his supporters, said Singh was the best leader to represent Amritsar.

Addressing a press conference here with his colleagues Ashok Arora and Akash Lal, Bedi described Captain Amarinder Singh as one of the greatest sons of the soil, and added that it would be a privilege for the people of Amritsar to have him represent them in parliament.

"I have come to perform ardas to the Almighty that may he (Amarinder Singh) win and provide the best leadership and representation to the people of Amritsar," said Bedi.

Bedi was categorical in stating that BJP candidate Arun Jaitley was no match for the charismatic Amarinder Singh.

He said Jaitley had only practised board room politics, while Captain Amarinder Singh had extensive experience lasting for about five decades.

"I remember him being the Chief Minister of Punjab for five years which were best years for the state," he said.

Bedi's associate, Ashok Arora, with whom he has formed an NGO working for transparency, said that Arun Jaitley's record was not at all clean.

He pointed out, he had messed up the affairs of the Delhi District Cricket Association whose working is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Investigation Cell.

"A man who could not efficiently manage a small cricketing club has no right to represent the people of a holy and historic city like Amritsar," Arora remarked.

Arora asked Jaitley as to why he chose not to contest from Delhi, and answering in the same vein, he said it was simply because he did not have the moral courage to face the people of Delhi as they knew him very well and would have exposed him.

Captain Amarinder Singh, supplemented Arora's charges, asking Jaitley to explain the exponential multiplication of his wealth between 2006 and 2012 from Rs 26 crores to Rs 158 crores.

"I have asked him several times, but I am yet to get an answer from him," Singh said.