Time is literally running out for the Punjab Congress ahead the crucial 2017 polls. With elections just about 20 days away and party high command yet to declare its remaining nine candidates, the voices of dissidence can be heard loud and clear. The party is facing revolt over ticket distribution with some of the leaders even contemplating to contest the polls independently.
Treading cautiously, the party is taking too much of its time to declare the candidates to prevent any backlash or rebellion. In fact, the party changed some of its candidates in the wake of revolt. Congress has fielded councillor Sushil Rinku from Jalandhar West who is facing opposition from former city mayor Surinder Mahe, as the latter opting to stand in the Assembly polls on his own. Mahe said he was formulating a strategy to contest from Jalandhar West seat independently and if the party does not take any decision over this issue, he will announce his decision soon.
In Aadampur, former Jalandhar MP Mohinder Singh Kay Pee has been given the ticket by the Congress, whereas a party leader Jagdish Jassal has started protesting against the decision while terming Kay Pee as anti-Dalit and an outsider. For Shahkot, party decided to field-in Hardev Singh Sharowalia for the Assembly elections instead of its local leader Navjot Dahiya, also the party’s State general secretary.
State vice-president Avtaar Henry was stated to be contender for the ticket from Jalandhar north Assembly constituency, but was overlooked by the party as it chose Tejinder Singh Bittu after Henry’s name was removed from the electoral roll. Sources said even this decision can changed by Congress and Henry’s son Baba Henry may be the final candidate to fight from Jalandhar north. Another senior congress leader from ludhiana Hem Raj Aggarwal also announced to quit party and contest election from ludhiana North constituency as an independent candidate.
Four-time councillor Aggarwal had sought ticket from the constituency which was allotted to five time MlA Rakesh Pandey. The joining of former SAD youth district president Harmeet Pathanmajra has also provoked rebellion in the party cadre.