Cong should contest 2017 Punjab polls on its own: Amarinder

Congress should contest the 2017 Assembly elections in Punjab on its own, the party's state unit chief Amarinder Singh said here today.
Talking to reporters after an interactive session with party workers, the former Punjab Chief Minister claimed that Congress was getting a "tremendous" response from the public and that party workers were full of enthusiasm.
However, he added that the final decision on contesting polls would be taken by AICC president Sonia Gandhi.
Replying to a question, Amarinder said he would invite Priyanka Gandhi to address election rallies in Punjab, adding that the Congress president's daughter is a crowd-puller and liked by all.

(REOPENS DES 25)
Meanwhile, Amarinder said ticket aspirants of the party have been asked to submit their applications to PCC by August 15, adding that the party will ensure "proper distribution" of tickets for the 2017 Assembly elections and only "deserving candidates in a position to win" are allotted tickets.

He said that after PCC receives the applications, there will be a detailed scrutiny and credentials and potential of all the applicants will be examined before tickets are allotted.
The Punjab Congress chief told party workers that they will have to support whosoever the party fields.
Amarinder said although there are more than one aspirants in each constituency, tickets can be allotted to only one.

At the same time, he said all other deserving candidates, who are left out, will be accommodated in the government, adding that posts of chairmen of various corporations and boards and other positions will be kept reserved for them.
"No MLA or a person contesting the elections will be given these positions," he said.
Replying to a query regarding industries being neglected in the state, the former chief minister assured that small and medium scale industries as also the cottage industry will be provided special impetus for growth if Congress returns to power.
He said he was aware that industries were "moving out" as the industrial atmosphere in the state had "no longer remained conducive". The state needs to frame policies that would encourage industries and investors, he added.