Contest between Congress and rest: Amarinder

Later while addressing the Sammellan,Amarinder claimed that he had received reports reports from across the state that the Akalis were using police officers to harass,threaten and intimidate Congress workers. “Today,I reiterate my warning to all of you that it is a matter of three months more. Imagine what will be your fate after that,” he said. He added: “The very fact that they (Akalis) are desperately trying to align with the BSP shows their desperation and nervousness about the fact they have started smelling defeat.

Asked about splinter groups coming together in the shape of the Third Front,Amarinder said: “It is as insignificant as the name itself and it will always remain so. It will be merely fighting for survival like Akalis and BJP.”

Denying that the Congress had prepared a list of officers who were partial towards the government,Amarinder said that barring some exceptions,officers could not be blamed since they had to do the bidding of the chief minister,the deputy chief minister and his brother-in-law. “The buck should stop at the top and not at the officers,” he added.

Regarding giving tickets to party aspirants,Amarinder maintained that it was the prerogative of party president Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile,Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has demanded an inquiry the government’s alleged inability to check the mafia has resulted in soaring of sand and gravel prices.