CM tries to pacify Kaypee, promises ‘suitable’ position

CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR: Amid reports of sulking former Congress MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee being wooed by the BJP after being denied party ticket from the Jalandhar parliamentary seat, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today intervened to mollify the Congress veteran.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Jalandhar, April 8

Amid reports of sulking former Congress MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee being wooed by the BJP after being denied party ticket from the Jalandhar parliamentary seat, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today intervened to mollify the Congress veteran.

Accompanied by Amritsar MLA and Chairman of Punjab Warehousing Corporation Raj Kumar Verka, former PPCC chief Kaypee met the Chief Minister at his Chandigarh residence this evening.

The Chief Minister assured him of looking into his grievance and working towards his suitable adjustment after talking to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said a senior leader involved in pacifying Kapyee.

Source close to the former PPCC chief said he was on way to Delhi to meet the party high command when he got a call from the Chief Minister to meet him. After meeting the Chief Minister, Kaypee again left for Delhi to meet senior party leaders.

Talking to The Tribune, Kaypee, while denying reports of his joining the BJP, said he would wait for the party decision on the Jalandhar ticket review before making any further move.

“I have heard the news (regarding the BJP) but there is no such thing. I have been told that the Jalandhar ticket has been put for review. I am on my way to meet the senior leadership in Delhi. I will talk to the leadership and then see what happens,” he added.

While Amritsar (West) MLA Raj kumar Verka, who had met Kaypee on Sunday, had said, the review of the Jalandhar ticket was one of the options that the party was considering. He said the issue would be resolved within the coming three days. The next meeting of the central election committee was on March 11.

Speaking on the wide unrest within the party on no tickets to the Valmiki Mazhabi Sikh community, Verka, who is also the former Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, had termed it a mistake which caused much angst among the Dalits in the state. He said the party was considering filling the gaps and reviewing the issue.