Mahinder submits papers, Sampla joins campaign

Rachna Khaira & Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 18

Mahinder Bhagat (59), son of Punjab Cabinet minister Bhagat Chunni Lal, filed his nomination papers from the Jalandhar (West) constituency amid much pomp and show in the presence of his supporters today.

Bhagat sharing a bête-noire of state BJP chief Vijay Sampla and camp got the ticket at the last minute. Sampla who was in favour to grant the ticket to SC Morcha general secretary Sheetal Angural was earlier a contender from the Jalandhar (West ) constituency for it being a reserved one.

However, despite demanding the ticket twice from here in 2007 and 2012, Bhagat Chunni Lal was instead chosen by the high command to contest the Assembly elections. This created a tussle between the two camps for long.

However, fortune favoured Sampla and he was given the ticket from Hoshiarpur, Bhagat later declared Mahinder as his political heir during a campaign. Mahinder, though a businessman, played active role in politics and was also remained the chairman of the medium scale industry board for long.

Congress candidate from Jalandhar North Bawa Henry owns a transport business in the name of Kartar Bus Service and is a business partner in the Hero Bus Service.

He has mentioned his occupation as an agriculturist, transporter and IOC dealer. While he owns 16 trucks himself, there are three in the name of his spouse.