Hours after the Congress announced the candidature of Surjeet Singh Dhiman from Amargarh Assembly segment, he refused to contest polls citing “delay in announcing his candidature” on the social networking website only to withdraw it later.
Upset over party’s “non-serious” attitude this time again, Dhiman, on his Facebook page announced his decision to turn down the party ticket for 2017 Punjab polls at the time when there was a power struggle going on between the party leaders. At the same time, he maintained that he would fully support the party candidate from Amargarh.
“last time also, the party lost as it announced its candidates at the eleventh hour giving very less time for campaigning, and eventually the candidates lost which result in falling morale of the party cadre. My name was announced 20 days before in 2012 polls giving very short time for campaigning. Considering party’s command, I contested but we lost. This time again, the party has announced my candidature very late and I don’t want to commit the same mistake again thus I deny the party ticket,” he said.
As the news of his denial blow-out with the rival political parties reacting too, Dhiman deleted his Facebook post as an apparent signal towards a “change of heart”.