Even as the Election Commission is yet to announce the date for the impending bypoll to Khadoor Sahib Assembly segment, candidates are throwing their hat in the ballot-ring.
With Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcing to back out from the contest, its dissenters are announcing their candidature for the byelection. AAP’s former State convener and rebel Sumail Singh Sidhu has announced to contest Khadoor Sahib bypoll as a candidate of the State Volunteer Coordination Committee.
Following him, another party rebel and its “suspended” leader Bhai Baldeep Singh on Wednesday announced to contest Khadoor Sahib assembly byelections as “independent” candidate.
Though former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj Abhiyan has extended its support to him. Renowned Gurbani Sangeet exponent and conservationist, Bhai Baldeep Singh had unsuccessfully contested 2014 lok Sabha polls as AAP’s candidate from Khadoor Sahib parliamentary seat against SAD’s Ranjit Singh Brahmpura.
While announcing his decision to contest polls, he was accompanied by Sawaraj lehar Abiyan’s Punjab convener Prof Manjit Singh.
Bhai Baldeep Singh claimed the support of panthic parties and organisations. Khadoor Sahib assembly constituency seat fall vacant after Congress MlA Ramanjit Singh Sikki resigned from the Vidhan Sabha membership in protest against the sacrilege issue.
With the Election Commission taking its time to announce the date for bypoll, the main political parties — SAD and the Congress — is also keeping its cards close to its chest. While the Congress is expected to once again field Sikki for the byelection, SAD is likely to give ticket to party MP Brahmpura’s son.