2019 Lok Sabha polls: Manmohan Singh unwilling to contest from Amritsar despite 'fervent requests' by Congress

Amid reports of Punjab Congress leaders including CM Captain Amarinder Singh making ‘fervent request’ to former PM Manmohan Singh to contest upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Punjab’s Amritsar constituency, the two-time prime minister is believed to have not responded positively.

Manmohan Singh (Source: PTI)

Amritsar: Amid reports of  Punjab Congress leaders including CM Captain Amarinder Singh making ‘fervent request’ to former PM Manmohan Singh to contest upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Punjab’s Amritsar constituency, the two-time prime minister is believed to have not responded positively. It is not for the first time that Manmohan Singh has declines Congress request to contest the parliamentarian elections. Earlier in 2009 as well, he had refused to contest from the constituency, citing ill-health. As per the poll schedule announced by , all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will go to polls on May 19 and the results will be out on May 23. 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. 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 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.