In a big boost to Indian National Congress on Thursday, AAP Sitting MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia from Bathinda Parliamentary Constituency joined Congress in middle of on-going national elections 2019. He joined Indian National Congress in the presence of Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh.
Manshahia had won the assembly elections in 2017 contesting on Aam Aadmi Party Ticket from Mansa Assembly Constituency.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh termed the development a major boost for the Congress Party in the state that has 13 parliamentary seats. He said his addition into the side will, without doubt, strengthen the party in the state and in the Bathinda Parliamentary Seat.
Punjab: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia joins Congress in presence of Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh. pic.twitter.com/GAZIszkWtu
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2019
READ: Here is the list of Candidates announced by the BJP-led NDA For Lok Sabha Polls 2019
Welcoming the AAP lawmaker, Punjab Chief Minister said people across state who wants positive for the state is joining the party in the interest of the state. He added that it is a clear sign of complete disillusionment with the Aam Aadmi Party.
Aam Aadmi Party in a run-up to the polls has lost its momentum in the state with many of its lawmaker shifting loyalties.
AAP Lawmaker Manshahia is an engineering graduate from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College. After serving as a senior Environmental engineer in the Punjab Pollution Control Board, he had opted for premature retirement in 2015
Speaking to the media after Joining Congress, Manshahia said he wanted to serve the state and its people, for which he felt Congress is an appropriate option. He further said that Aam Aadmi Party in the state has lost the narrative and has no positive agenda to push it.
Manshahia elected to Punjab Assembly for the first time in 2017 State Polls. He was also a Member of House Committee and Committee on Farmer Suicides and Farm Labourers of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha (2017-18). Currently, He is a member of Committee on Government Assurances of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha (2018-19).
Earlier, AAP Lawmaker from Jaito Assembly Seat Baldev Singh had in January last month quit AAP. Before this on January 5, Senior Lawyer and AAP Punjab Leader HS Phoolka also announced his disassociation from the AAP.
Election Commission had on March 10 declared schedule for General Elections 2019. General Elections have already begun and would spread on Seven Phases starting from April 11 to May 19.
Counting of Votes and Results for the mega Battle of ballots will be announced on May 23 four days after the 7th phase of voting. Punjab for its 13 Parliamentary seats will poll in a single phase on May 19 four days ahead of counting.
ALSO READ:
- Lok Sabha Polls 2019: EC lodges FIR against Babul Supriyo for playing ‘Banned’ BJP theme Song
- Lok Sabha Polls: Anupam Kher holds a roadshow in Chandigarh as wife Kirron Kher files nominations
- Lok Sabha Polls 2019: Congress names Ajay Rai against PM Modi from Varanasi in UP