Captain Amarinder warns Cong rebels of expulsion

Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday warned dissidents that they would be expelled from the party if they do not withdraw their nominations for the assembly polls by Tuesday.

The Congress is facing rebels, who had caused the party's loss in the 2012 assembly elections also, in nearly 25 seats.

"The interests of Punjab and its people are supreme and could not be allowed to be compromised for personal gains," he said.

He gave the rebels 48 hours to withdraw from the contest if they did not want to face permanent expulsion from the party.

"Congress high command had decided not to take them back once they were expelled for defiance," he added.

The former chief minister asked the Congress' rebels to opt out of the February 4 polls race and put up a united front to defeat the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

"It amounts to violation of the party's disciplinary ethics, which could not be permitted at any cost," he told the media here.

Captain Amarinder, who released the Congress' manifesto for next month's electoral battle, also trained guns at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) while alleging that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party plans to bring around 45,000 people from outside for campaigning.

"This may cause a law and order problem. I have written to the Election Commission in this regard," he said.

Highlighting the Congress manifesto, Captain Amarinder promised free education for girl child from class one till Ph.D. level.

He also promised free travel passes to senior citizens, ex-servicemen and students in state transport buses.

Talking about the controversial Sutluj- Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, he said, "We need two- third of majority in state assembly to bring about a change."

"Earlier, we faced injustice. We wanted this issue to be heard in the Supreme Court. I need two-third majority to bring about the change in assembly. We will abide by the Constitution and won't break the law," he said.

The most controversial water sharing dispute between the two states of Punjab and Haryana continues over the decision to construct the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in 1981. Once the 214km canal sees completion, it will transfer water to Haryana from the Sutlej.

The assembly elections in Punjab will be held on February 4 and votes will be counted on March 11.