New Delhi: Former Prime Minister and veteran Congress leader is not willing to contest Lok Sabha elections 2019 from Amritsar, reports claimed. Despite ‘fervent request’ by the Punjab Congress leaders including CM Captain Amarinder Singh, the two-time prime minister is believed to have not responded positively.
Earlier in 2009 as well, he had refused to contest from the constituency, citing ill-health. Notably, all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will go to polls on May 19 and the results will be out on May 23.
In 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had contested from Amritsar but was defeated by Captain Amarinder Singh. In 2017, Captain vacated the seat, after he was elected as the Punjab Chief Minister.
The Lok Sabha Elections 2019 will begin on April 11 and will be held in seven phases, the Election Commission announced on Sunday. The model code of conduct came into immediate effect from March 10 itself and the counting of votes will take place on May 23, 2019.
“The Punjab Congress is fully geared to fight the Lok Sabha election”, Amarinder Singh said, making it apparent that the party will not ally with anyone in the state. Furthermore, the chief minister said the Punjab government would take all steps to ensure free and fair polls, in a secure environment. “The police and civil administration would work in tandem to enable peaceful election in the state”, he added.
