Factional disputes lead to delay in ticket announcement

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 8

The tussle between supporters of Congress leader Jasbir Singh Dimpa and Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi led to a delay in the announcement of a candidate for the Congress at Baba Bakala constituency here today. According to the information, the Dimpa group is trying to get the ticket for Advocate Rajinder Singh Tapiala or Santokh Singh Bhalipur. Meanwhile, Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi has been seeking the party ticket for his son Satinderbir Singh.

Earlier in 2012 Assembly elections, Congress candidate Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi paid the price of factionalism within the party as he was defeated by SAD candidate Manjit Singh Manna Mianwind. Baba Bakala Constituency was made from Khadoor Sahib and Beas Constituencies. There was a stronghold of Jasbir Singh Dimpa on Beas (general) Constituency while Chhajjalwaddi had good reputation in the Khadoor Sahib Consistency. As Baba Bakala is reserved for SC candidates, Dimpa can’t contest but want domination of his group.

Congress activists in the constituency are upset due to delay in the announcement of the ticket. The situation would favour Akali Dal, they claim. “The state leadership has been delaying the announcement of party ticket. The Congress will suffer due to this delay. The high command has failed to remove factionalism in the party,” said Sandip Singh, a Congress worker.