Former hockey captain Pargat Singh among two suspended by Akali Dal

IANS

Chandigarh, July 19 (IANS) Former captain of the Indian hockey team and ex-Olympian Pargat Singh was among two legislators suspended by Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday.

Pargat Singh, the sitting Akali Dal legislator from Jalandhar Cantt assembly seat was placed under suspension along with another Akali legislator Inderbir Singh Bolaria for "anti-party activities".

"Giving a strong signal that indiscipline in the party will not be tolerated at any cost, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal suspended Pargat Singh and Inderbir Singh Bolaria from the party today evening," a statement by Akali Dal secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said here.

"The decision was taken by the SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in consultation with the senior members of the party. After continuously watching the anti party behavior of both the leaders, all senior leaders advised the party president to deal indiscipline with a firm hand," said Cheema, who is also the state Education Minister.

Sources close to the suspended leaders said that they could join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the coming days.

Cheema said that the next course of action will be decided by the core committee of the party which is being convened shortly.

Pargat Singh had refused to get inducted as Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the Akali Dal-BJP alliance government in the state earlier this year.

--IANS

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