Barnalas meet Gandhis

Barnala: Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), headed by former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala's wife Surjit Kaur Barnala, has decided to merge with Congress. SAD (Longowal) may merge with Congress on Saturday while Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visits Zirakpur.
Surjit Kaur, along with her son and former MLA Gaganjeet Singh Barnala and grandson Simarpratap Singh Barnala, on Thursday evening, met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul in New Delhi to talk about the merger of their outfit.Former CM Barnala has retired from political life due to health constraints. Last month, SAD (Longowal), in a meeting at Barnala's residence, had given all rights to Surjit Kaur to decide the future course of action of supporting or merging with Congress.
Barnalas did not elaborate about the merger, insiders said two tickets could be allotted to its leaders for 2017 Punjab assembly elections. Barnala's grandson Simarpratap was given the ticket to contest Dhuri assembly byelection in April 2015. SAD (Longowal) chief Surjit Kaur said, "We met Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and told them that people wanted to stop Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from gaining power in Punjab. At the same time, Congress also wants to stop Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Badals from retaining power. Keeping this in mind, we have decided to merge our party with Congress to make the unit stronger."
Gaganjit Barnala told TOI, "We may merge our party on Saturday when Rahul visits Zirakpur or may take a couple of days. We have decided to merge our party unconditionally in the larger interests of Punjab."