A day after being expelled from Shiromani Akali Dal for "anti-party" activities, Deepinder Singh Dhillon and Harinderpal Singh Mann along with their supporters joined Congress.
Addressing the media here, state party Chief Amarinder Singh said that both the leaders had joined Congress without any condition.
"They have come back to Congress fold... We welcome them. They will have a big role in the coming assembly polls," Amarider said.
However, on the issue of giving party ticket to both in 2017 polls, he said the authority for decision on this lay with the Congress high command.
"It is the Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) who takes final decision on giving tickets to contest polls. Even I do not know whether I will contest polls," he said.
Speculation is rife that Dhillon and Mann are looking to contest assembly polls from Dera Bassi and Samana seats.
Describing the side-switching by both Dhillon and Mann as a part of election and democratic process, the former Punjab chief minister said the process cannot be stopped.
"This (changing party) is not a new thing. Congress is a sea. From then to now, several parties came. It is a part of election and democratic process and cannot be stopped. It is not a downfall. It has been there for 66 years and will continue," he said.
Asked whether Congress was desperate to take both "turncoats" back, Amarinder said, "Why should there be desperation on the part of Congress. They are joining us in larger interest of Punjab. We are not begging people to join us."
SAD had yesterday expelled Dhillon and Mann from its primary membership for their "anti-party activities" while describing them as "political opportunists".
