Akali MP relents, quits Assembly

PHAGWARA, March 23: Senior Akali leader Gurcharan Singh Tohra today said Prem Singh Lalpura, elected to the 12th Lok Sabha from Tarn Taran, has submitted his resignation as member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

Lalpura had refused to resign from the Assembly demanding an assurance from the party high command that his nominee will be given the party ticket for the Tarn Taran byelection.

Tohra denied internal differences in the Akali Dal over the induction of Sukhbir Singh Badal into the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre. He dismissed as mere speculation reports of his resentment over the non-inclusion of Prem Singh Chandumajra.