Political storm over Kumari's appointment

The appointment of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA Asha Kumari as in-charge of Punjab Congress has sparked off a political storm in poll-bound state.

The Akali Dal on Monday asking the Congress to apologize to Punjabis for knowingly foisting a 'tainted leader' who has been convicted in a case of land grabbing. Kumari is Congress’ second choice after former union minister Kamal Nath resigned as in-charge Punjab Congress owing to his purported involvement in the 1984-anti-Sikh riots.

The Congress is sticking to its guns. Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder on Monday lashed out at the opposition parties for criticising Kumari's appointment, saying they should introspect before pointing fingers at the Congress. SAD leader and Union minister for food processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the people of Punjab, who had earlier protested in anger at the appointment of Kamal Nath as incharge of Punjab due to his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot, were now feeling humiliated after the appointment of Asha Kumari. "The people are asking if the Congress does not have even one clean leader in its midst,” she added in a statement.

Cong backs Asha

Congress has backed to the hilt newly appointed Punjab in-charge Asha Kumari. An unfazed Congress launched a counter-attack on the BJP pointing out that Amit Shah, the president of the ruling party, was embroiled in a murder case.