Ludhiana (W) Bypoll: Cong puts up united face as Ashu files nomination papers

Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the Ludhiana West constituency bypoll slated to be held on June 19. He first held a meeting at the party office and later, proceeded towards the DC’s office to file his nomination papers. A huge number of vehicles followed him, causing a huge traffic jam on Ferozepur Road.

Ashu was flanked by AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel, PPCC state president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi and senior party leader Rana Gurjit while filing his papers.

All speculations were put to rest as Ashu and Warring were seen together on Thursday after a long time. The rift between the two leaders has been evident for some time. Instances of exclusion from public displays and social media have highlighted their discord. Ashu’s absenteeism from Warring’s events and the latter being the state president found absent in programmes and campaigns of Ashu on many occasions earlier proved the same.

Before filing the nomination of Ashu, the Congress today put up a strong and united show.

Several other leaders, including Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma, Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, Rana Gurjit, Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, MLA Rana Gurjit, MLA Pragat Singh and MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria, joined the party event.

Addressing the gathering, the PPCC president congratulated Ashu and expressed confidence that he would win the seat and mark the new beginning for the party in the state. Warring appealed to the rank and file of the party to work wholeheartedly like they were fighting their personal election.

“Each one of you is going to be the MLA,” he exhorted them, adding that it will be the victory of each and every party worker."

Speaking on the occasion, Ashu expressed gratitude to the party leadership, both central and the state, for reposing faith in him and supporting him. Taking a dig at other parties, he remarked: “Our president is standing with us, now let AAP and the BJP tell us, where are their state presidents?”

Meanwhile, Mamta Ashu, wife of Bharat Bhushan Ashu, filed papers as a covering candidate for him.