Ex-AAP leader merges his party with Congress after meeting Rahul Gandhi
The Hindu
Move seen as a ‘sign of thaw’ between Amarinder, Sidhu camps
Former Leader of the Opposition and founder of the Punjab Ekta Party Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Thursday formally merged his party with the Congress after meeting former party chief Rahul Gandhi at the latter’s Delhi residence. Party incharge for Punjab Harish Rawat, general secretary Randeep Surjewala and two of Mr. Khaira’s MLAs — Jagdev Singh (Maur) and Pirmal Singh (Bhadaur) — were present. The timing of Mr. Khaira’s meeting is significant as it comes just days before the High Command is expected to meet Punjab Chief Minister Captain (Retd.) Amarinder Singh and former Minister-turned-dissident leader Navjot Singh in Delhi on June 20 to work out a compromise and end the factionalism.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.