Atwal seeks Cong ticket from Nakodar

Ashok Kaura

Phillaur, January 13

Three weeks since the Congress announced the candidature of former MLA Gurbinder Singh Atwal from the Bholath Assembly constituency, he today expressed his unwillingness to contest from the seat alleging non-cooperative attitude of party members in the constituency.

Atwal has written a letter to the party high command, including AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi and sought the ticket from the Nakodar Assembly segment. Former minister Amarjit Singh Samra, who had contested from Nakodar thrice, has already refused to contest this time and the party is still mulling over giving seat to MLA Pargat Singh or former MLA Jagbir Brar.

Atwal had reportedly gone to Bholath two times in the last week but local workers have so far refused to support him. As Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh had called a meeting in the constituency two weeks back, a fight had erupted at the venue further creating divide among the leaders.

Meanwhile, Atwal claims the support of local leaders of Nakodar constituency, including Noormahal Panchayat Samiti chairman Charan Singh, market committee chairman Anokh Singh and some sarpanches. When contacted, Atwal who had contested the Assembly elections twice from the Noormahal Assembly constituency, today said he would not contest the Assembly elections from Bholath or from any other constituency including Shahkot, but will contest from Nakodar only. That is why, he said, had informed the party high command well in time and sought ticket from Nakodar.