Cong holds ground on Karanbir Singh Burj’s candidature amid rumbles in ranks

With less than a month to go before the November 11 by-election for the Tarn Taran Assembly segment, difference of opinion on the choice of the party candidate has cropped up in Punjab Congress.

On October 4, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal announced Karanbir Singh Burj as the party nominee. Though three names—Burj, Lalli Dhalla, and Rajbir Singh Bhullar—were in contention, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Amarinder Raja Warring and CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa had jointly recommended Burj’s candidature.

Warring categorically denied speculation of any change, asserting that Burj’s name was finalised through the party’s formal process. “Rumours are being spread by vested interests,” he said.

Party sources said following objections from certain state leaders, Venugopal had asked Amritsar MP GS Aujla to contest from Tarn Taran. Former Zira MLA Kulbir Zira was also approached by a senior leader about entering the fray. However, after consultations with the state leadership and considering various political factors, the decision to field Burj was reaffirmed. Aujla confirmed Burj’s candidature and said the entire leadership would campaign for him.

According to a senior leader, gangster-related violence and killings, including the 2023 incident where two gangsters were killed inside Govindwal jail during a scuffle, remain major issues in the constituency. Many potential candidates are said to be reluctant to contest because of gangster involvement in the bypoll.

The Congress faces a multi-cornered contest, with BJP, SAD, and AAP announcing Harjit Singh Sandhu, Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, and Harmeet Singh Sandhu, respectively, as their candidates. The Amritpal-led Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) has named Mandeep Singh, brother of Sandeep Singh Sunny, currently in jail in connection with a murder case, as its nominee.

Party strategists are focusing the campaign around issues of drug overdose deaths and gangster threats. The campaign kicks off on October 11, with Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel scheduled to be present for the filing of Burj’s nomination papers.

Warring accused the SAD of fostering gangster culture, saying: “We are the only party with secular credentials and by giving a new face for the elections.”