Ghubaya in Cong fold, no decision on ticket yet

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 5

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Sitting Ferozepur MP and former Akali Dal leader Sher Singh Gubhaya today joined the Congress, igniting anxieties in the Punjab Congress over the ticket selection for the Ferozepur segment.

Although the Congress insisted that Gubhaya had joined the party unconditionally, the latter was silent on his aspirations. He spent the whole of yesterday demanding assurances from the Congress that he would be given the ticket from Ferozepur.

Not keen to whip up rebellion in the state unit, the Congress leadership played it safe, saying no assurances of a ticket had yet been given to Gubhaya.

AICC incharge of Punjab Asha Kumari said, “Gubhaya has joined the party unconditionally.” The Tribune has however learnt that the Ferozepur MP has urged the leadership to commit the segment nomination to him. A decision will however be taken by the party’s central election committee, led by Rahul Gandhi.

A party leader said, “Our strategy on Ferozepur will be subject to the Akali Dal candidate. We have heard that Bathinda MP Harsimrat Badal was planning to shift to Ferozepur.”

The Congress has meanwhile scheduled the first meeting of Punjab screening committee on March 10 when the state election panel led by PPCC president Sunil Jakhar will present for screening all 180 plus ticket applications that have been received so far.

PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar told The Tribune that the state unit would be honoured if former PM Manmohan Singh decided to contest the elections from Punjab. “Dr Singh can choose his seat. But this decision has to be his own,” Jakhar said, adding that there was no such formal proposal.

Rahul to take call on nomination

A decision will however be taken by the party’s central election committee, led by Rahul Gandhi. The Congress has scheduled the first meeting of Punjab screening committee on March 10 when it will present for screening all 180 plus applications received for the party ticket.

Was already a congman: Sukhbir

Ghubaya's family has been supporting the Congress for the last two-three years. His formally joining the party is just a paper transaction. It will hardly make any difference. — Sukhbir Badal, sad president