Pitching Vipan Sood from Ludhiana Central triggers poster war

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 6

A poster war has started in Ludhiana Central constituency, a day after Vipan Sood Kaka was fielded as the candidate from Lok Insaaf Party.

Posters of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashok Prashar alias Pappi Shahpuriya, who is rattled after Sood was given a ticket following a seat-sharing arrangement between Lok Insaaf Party and AAP, dots the entire constituency.

Interestingly, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal’s photo is missing from the poster being installed in Field Ganj. The message “mere halqa mera parivar” flashing the picture of Pappi Shahpuriya has been installed right over the hoarding of Vipan Sood.

While venting his ire against LIP supremo Simarjeet Bains, Shahpuriya cautioned AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and said the alliance with Bains brothers would prove costly to the party.

“Bains brothers are known for being opportunists. AAP has committed a blunder by formulating an alliance with them. They will soon hijack the party and AAP leaders will keep watching like mute spectators,” said Pappi Shahpuriya.

On being asked why Arvind Kejriwal’s picture was missing from his poster, Prashar said the posters have been installed by his supporters.

“It is the opposite, it appears Arvind Kerjiwal has forgotten that I am also an AAP volunteer and joined the party without any precondition,” said Shahpuriya.

He said he was in touch with his supporters. “I am meeting residents of my constituency. If they want that I should fight the elections independently, I will think over it,” said Shahpuriya, while reiterating that he would not campaign for LIP candidate Vipan Sood.

Congress has fielded sitting MLA Surinder Dawar from Ludhiana- Central, while the BJP is yet to announce its candidate.

Sources said Gurdev Dabi was so far the frontrunner in the race for grabbing a ticket from Ludhiana-Central constituency.

Since the constituency has more Hindu voters, the Lok Insaaf Party made a smart move by pitching Vipan Sood, who is associated with many religious organisations.