Cong considering Kapil for Amritsar bypoll?

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 3

With cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu indicating that he would not contest the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, the Congress is reportedly exploring the possibility of fielding stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma.

A senior Congress leader said Sidhu, who is likely to join the Congress soon, has been tasked with convincing Kapil for contesting the Lok Sabha bypoll.

Sources said Sidhu’s proximity with the Congress leadership may earn him a privilege to suggest a candidate for the Lok Sabha bypoll. It could be some celebrity. Kapil, who hails from Amritsar, could not be ruled out.

“The party is inclined to field a celebrity. As Harbhajan is not keen (to contest), the focus shifts to Kapil. It is possible that Sidhu and Kapil may join the Congress together in the presence of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi,” he said.

Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of three-time MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, said, “I have heard about Kapil joining the Congress and contesting the Amritsar bypoll, but there’s no official word about it yet.”

In the BJP, senior leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, a confidante of Union Minister Arun Jaitley, is lobbying hard for the ticket. Sources said the party is interested in fielding a celebrity who can match the stature of Sidhu. BJP leaders are reportedly in touch with Bollywood actors Sunny Deol and Anupam Kher. The names of some former cricketers, too, are being considered, sources said. Despite repeated attempts, Kapil could not be contacted.