Doda will contest poll, claims Akali leader

Our Correspondent

Abohar, August 24

Local SAD urban circle chief Ashok Ahuja today announced that liquor baron and former halqa in charge Shiv Lal Doda would contest the Vidhan Sabha elections even if his bail plea in the Bhim Tank murder case is not accepted by the High Court. Notably, the plea is to be heard next month.

At a function organised by the Department of Social Security in the Khuyiansarwer Block Development and Panchayat Office located near the Defence Road here, Ahuja claimed only Doda is capable of defeating three-time Congress legislator Sunil Jakhar in Abohar constituency. Ahuja flayed Jakhar, alleging he had failed to give a boost to the development in the area.

Visibly concerned over his utterances, former state president of the BJP Mahila Morcha Vijay Luxmi Bhadoo was seen asking Fazilka Sub Divisional Magistrate Subhash Khatak to interrupt Ahuja.

Khatak holds the additional charge of Abohar subdivision as the state government has not appointed any regular SDM here for many weeks.

Bhadoo had lost in the last elections as most of the SAD and BJP local leaders had rallied around Doda, who contested as an Independent but could not succeed.

At the function today in the BDPO complex, Bhadoo and Ahuja gave away cheques worth Rs 15,000 each to 355 beneficiaries under the Shagun Scheme.