Ticket row: Amarinder mollifies CLP leader

Tribune News Service

Chamkaur Sahib, January 16

Punjab Congress Chief Capt Amarinder Singh today prevailed upon miffed CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi by accompanying him to file his nomination papers from the Chamkaur Sahib Assembly segment here today.

There were reports of Channi contesting as an Independent after his nominee from Ropar was denied the ticket. An apparently mollified Channi said that neither was he contesting as an Independent nor was he resigning. “It is a party matter and it will be settled within the party,” he said.

The political bonhomie between the two leaders was on display both in action and words. After landing here, Amarinder accompanied Channi to historic Katalgarh Sahib gurdwara before addressing a gathering at a grain market.

Amarinder reminded voters that he was instrumental in bringing Channi to the Congress in December 2010.

Eliciting applause, Amarinder asked the gathering to ensure Channi’s win so that he could become a minister in the Congress government on being voted to power.

The Punjab Congress chief described Channi as an important leader, while Channi said there was no doubt about the CM candidate. “Captain saab is everything. He is the face of the party,” he said, while dismissing reports of making Navjot Singh Sidhu the Deputy Chief Minister.