No alliance with Awaaz-e-Punjab, but open to merger: Amarinder Singh

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh on Sunday ruled out an alliance with the 'Awaaz-e-Punjab', but said the front floated by cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is welcome to merge with the Congress.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Amarinder said anyone was welcome to join the party, but only without pre-conditions and seat adjustments. He dismissed claims by Navjot Kaur Sidhu that the couple were in talks with the Congress' senior leadership in New Delhi.

"There are no talks between any Congress leader and Navjot Singh Sidhu. They should also tell us who they were in contact with," he said.

He said the state leadership would be aware if any talks took place. Besides, he added, the central leadership would keep state leaders in the loop if such developments took place.

Accusing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of embezzling Rs 32000 crore in food grain scam, Amarinder said if Congress comes to power, it will recommend a CBI probe into it.

"We will hold him accountable for every penny," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Punjab Congress has shortlisted 600 out of 1,600 applications for party tickets for contesting the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party has introduced strict conditions that all prospective candidates need to meet in order to be considered for final selection, said Amarinder, asserting that credibility and winnability would be the only criteria.