Industrialist Salaria BJP’s Gurdaspur pick

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, September 21

The BJP, finally keeping its promise to local industrialist Swaran Salaria, today announced his candidature for the October 11 Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection. Salaria had joined the party in the run-up to the 2009 General Election on the assurance that he would be allotted the party ticket. However, the nomination went to cine-star Vinod Khanna. 

Weeks before the 2014 elections, Salaria was once again promised the party ticket. But LK Advani and Bengaluru-based spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar rallied behind Khanna and a sulking Salaria threatened to contest as an Independent. He was once again pacified with the promise he would be allotted the ticket for the 2019 elections.

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When the Gurdaspur seat fell vacant after Khanna's demise, Salaria was quick to remind senior BJP leaders about their promise. This time the party obliged with his benefactor yoga exponent Swami Ramdev warding off a strong challenge by Khanna’s widow Kavita. 

The politically astute Salaria, who started the Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital in Pathankot in 2012, has been providing free care to women and senior citizens. “The party has reposed faith in me. I will live up to the expectations of the leadership,” said Salaria who belongs to Chauhani village in the Bhoa Vidhan Sabha constituency.

Crucial test

Retaining the Gurdaspur seat is crucial for BJP’s future plans in Punjab. The Congress claims the result will be a “referendum on the BJP’s three-year misrule at the Centre” while the BJP feels it will be a test for the Capt Amarinder Singh-led government. Senior leaders in as early as May had told The Tribune that the candidate would be someone who had the support of the “sangathan”.  Sources said BJP chief Amit Shah decided on Swaran Salaria's nomination after going through the “inputs on the ground situation” by central party functionary Anil Baluni. Vibha Sharma