Bharat Bhushan Ashu has his way: Rana Gurjeet, Sham Sunder Arora to oversee Ludhiana bypoll

Senior Congress leader and party candidate for the Ludhiana (West) bypoll Bharat Bhushan Ashu appears to have his way, if the constitution of a two-member committee to oversee the election is any indication.

The panel, comprising Kapurthala legislator Rana Gurjeet and former MLA Sham Sunder Arora, was formed by AICC general secretary incharge for Punjab Bhupesh Baghel after he chaired a meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee last Friday, according to sources.

A source said the names were recommended by Ashu.

Another source said Ashu, in the internal party meetings, had been expressing his displeasure with state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Partap Bajwa for not supporting him when he was facing Vigilance cases and put behind bars.

He had been insisting on having senior leaders of his choice as election incharges, the source added.

It is learnt that at the meeting of the Political Affairs Committee, Ashu also recommended the name of Vijay Inder Singla.

However, others senior leaders present there said Warring and Bajwa should also be involved in the bypoll. The leaders had also requested Baghel to end the impasse between Ashu and the top state leadership.

After gauging the mood and in consultation with Warring ad Bajwa, the two-member panel was approved by Baghel.

Earlier, several party leaders had expressed the apprehension that the rift in the Congress could cost the party dear in the bypoll.

Baghel has repeatedly told the party leaders not come out in the open over their differences.