Eyeing the Punjabi votebank in Haryana, the BJP has decided to field newspaper baron Ashwani Kumar Chopra from Karnal lok Sabha constituency. Chopra, editor-owner of Panjab Kesari, Delhi and also international president of Panchnad Smarak Samiti represents the ‘Punjabi Biradari’ (Punjabi speaking people who had migrated from Pakistan during Partition). This section has a huge votebank across Haryana in around five parliamentary constituencies, including Karnal, Sonepat, Kurkushetra, Rohtak, Gurgaon and Faridabad. In Karnal constituency, which comprises nine Assembly constituencies, more than 3 lakh Punjabi voters are there.
Talking to The Pioneer, Ashwani Kumar Chopra said that “For me this constituency is like my home. I keep visiting here and would continue to extend my help to this community even after the elections” He said besides the Punjabi community, he is associated with other communities also for social causes.