Cong, BJP tame dissidents

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Mukerian (Hoshiarpur), September 30

On the last day of filing of nominations for the Mukerian bypoll, the BJP and Congress were able to deal with dissent and managed to keep the rebels off the fray.

While the BJP feared two-time MLA Arunesh Shakir rebelling against the party candidate, Congress’ Indu Bala faced opposition from Amarjit Singh Dhadekatwal. Congress MLA Sangat Singh Gilzian managed to persuade Amarjit to toe the party line.

Amarjit said, “I was an aspirant for the ticket last time. I was assured that if I was not given the ticket, I would be offered chairmanship of a state-level organisation, but the promise was not fulfilled. Once the promise is fulfilled, I will back the party candidate.”

However, after a two-hour meeting, Gilzian managed to convince Amarjit not to contest as an Independent.

BJP’s Shakir, who took a call last night, came with supporters to file papers.

In the meantime, BJP state chief Shwait Malik, Union Minister Som Parkash, ex-Union Minister Vijay Sampla and BJP leader Ashwani Sharma reached there to persuade him not to file papers. Soon, Shakir’s supporters started sloganeering and opposed the move to give the ticket to Jangi Lal Mahajan.

After long discussion, Malik was able to prevail on Shakir.

Later, Shakir said, “The BJP is like my mother and how can a son go against mother. The state president has assured my workers that I will be given a respectful place in the party. I am a dedicated worker of the party and will work to make the party candidate victorious”.

Talking to the media, Malik said, “There is no opposition of any kind in the BJP. Everyone has a right to ask for the ticket, but after the decision is taken, all ticket-seekers should come together.”

In all, 11 candidates filed papers from Mukerian today.

Mahajan was accompanied by Som Prakash, Malik, Sampla, and others during the filing of nomination. Youth leader Sangram Singh filed the nomination as Mahajan’s covering candidate.

Congress’ Indu Bala also filed her papers on Monday. State Congress incharge Asha Kumari, Cabinet Ministers Sundar Sham Arora, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and OP Soni, MLA Shankar Singh Rasia, MLA Rajkumar, MLA Arun Dogra and others were present.