The Congress on Monday fielded its best against the might of the Akalis, while the party is yet to decide on three of its candidates with just two days left for filing of nominations.
Making the formal announcement of the candidature of its Punjab unit president Capt Amarinder Singh from lambi — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s bastion, and that of ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu from Jalalabad — home constituency of Deputy Chief Minister and SAD president Sukhbir Badal, the party on Monday released its fifth list with 10 names, changing four of its candidates.
Facing rebellion within over ticket distribution, the party changed four of its candidates at Jagraon, Jalandhar North, Bholath, and Phillaur.
The party has now nominated former MlA Malkiat Singh Dakha in place of Geja Ram from Jagroan seat, while Ranjit Singh Rana has been fielded replacing Guwinder Singh Atwal in Bholath.
Former Minister Avtar Henry, after his name was deleted from electoral role, managed to secure slot for his son Bawa Henry who will now contest from Jalandhar North. Earlier, the party has fielded Rajkumar Gupta, who also replaced Tejinder Singh Bittu whose name was announced initially.
The Congress also changed its candidate from Phillaur reserve segment where party’s youth leader and MP Santokh Singh Chaidhary’s son Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary will replace his mother Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary.
Reflecting on the Congress’ state of affairs ahead 2017 polls, the party has kept pending the names of its candidates on three seats — Amritsar South, Mansa and ludhiana East—with just two days left for nominations.
The three seats, likely to be announced by Tuesday, is facing a power struggle between various factions. While party MP Manish Tewari was seeking ticket from ludhiana East which was being opposed by Bittu, former Akali MlA Inderbir Bolaria is a fromtrunner on Amritsar South along with hotelier Jasbir Dimpa.
For Mansa seat, Capt Amarinder’s former media adviser Bharat Inder Singh Chahal is eyeing a ticket for his son and so is former Minister Mangat Rai Bansal for his wife.
The list also included the name of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who came on board just a day before, and formally inducting earlier in the day. He will contest from Amritsar East, a constituency represented by his wife, Dr Navjot Kaur.
Besides, his companion Olympian Pargat Singh also got the ticket from the constituency of his choice, Jalandhar Cantonment, from where he is a sitting legislator. His candidature was opposed by former MlA Jagbir Brar, who had held its show of strength in the constituency hours before the release of the list. Brar has been fielded from Nakodar.
Another “turncoat”, Harinder Pal Singh (Harry) Mann has been given ticket from Sanaur — a constituency represented by five-time MlA and former minister lal Singh. Yielding to party’s ‘one family, one ticket’ rule, Singh has to comfort with the party ticket to his son, Rajinder Singh, from Samana.
Mann, a former Punjab Information Commissioner, was expelled from SAD for “anti-party activities”, along with Deepinder Singh Dhillon, who has also been rewarded with party ticket from Dera Bassi.