Jailed Panwar files papers, daughter-in-law holds fort

The Congress’ trusted sitting MLA, Surender Panwar, who was arrested by the ED in an alleged money laundering and mining case, today filed his nomination from Sonepat. He was brought here from the Ambala jail by the police. Meanwhile, his daughter-in-law Samiksha Panwar is leading the poll campaign.

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Samiksha also filed her nomination as a covering candidate. The Congress got a major setback when the ED arrested Panwar on July 20. Since then, he has been in jail, creating a big vacuum in the Congress camp. Panwar is considered to be the big face of the party in the Sonepat constituency.

However, party leaders initiated plan-B under which Samiksha, wife of Lalit Panwar and daughter-in-law of the jailed MLA, has been activated in the political arena to fill the vacuum. She went to the Congress’ office in Delhi where former CM Bhupinder Hooda and state president Udai Bhan handed the Panwar’s ticket to her. She has started holding meetings with party workers and attending public programmes.

Mobilising Congress party workers and supporters in support of MLA Panwar, she recently said the election date was fast approaching and all had to get their act together to ensure the Congress won by a thumping majority. She cautioned there would be attempts by the Opposition to break their unity, but they would never succeed. MP Satpal Brahamchari said MLA Surender Panwar has dedicated his life to the service of the people of Sonepat.