He also warned officials who were allegedly “intimidating” Congress workers on false charges at the behest of the Akali-BJP leadership.

Addressing a series of public meetings in the Jagaraon Assembly segment, Tewari pointed out that the government had “failed on all fronts”.

“The only thing the Akalis have succeeded in is in gaining personal wealth,” he remarked.

When asked about the chances of him contesting on the Congress ticket from Ludhiana, Tewari argued, “This is the prerogative of the Congress president to choose the right and winning candidate. There must not be any personal politics about it.”

Everybody, he said, had a right to stake his claim for the ticket and it was only up to the party to take the final decision.Local legislator Gurdeep Singh Bheni also spoke on the occasion. Tewari also visited Dangia village to pay condolences on the demise of Congress leader Jagdeeshar Singh Dangian’s son.