Amarinder holds meeting with 23 MLA's, Punjab govt withdraws CRPF security

PATIALA: The former chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh Wednesday  held meeting with his supporters late in evening at new moti Bagh Palace.  Earlier in the day he was accorded warm welcome by his supporters on arrival from Delhi.

Palace Sources said that Amarinder Singh addressed the meeting of over 50 leaders of the Punjab. Sources said that meeting was attended by 23 MLAs from present assembly and 27 Ex MLAs including those who have lost their elections in last assembly elections. 

Vijay Inder Singla , president of Punjab Youth Congress has also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Punjab Government today withdrew security of Central reserve police force (CRPF) from news Moti Bagh palace residence of Captain Amarinder Singh. He has been given Z plus security by state government.

Official sources said  that Punjab Government has refused to pay the expenses of CRPF for its deployment around the house security. However Punjab Government has deployed the personnel of Indian reserve battalion an armed force of Punjab Police in place of CRPF. 

It is learnt that in 1999 the then chief minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal had turned down the request for availing CRPF security for his house. Later Capt. Singh had met LK Advani, the then home minister and got CRPF security. Capt. Amarinder had later upgraded it to Z plus when he became the chief Minister in 2002.