Dissent: Punjab Congress cautious on remaining seats

Chandigarh, January 20

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Amid the storm triggered in the party after the first list of 86 candidates, the Congress is adopting a cautious approach while deciding on the remaining 31 seats. The party’s central election committee is meeting on January 22 to decide the candidates, besides reviewing some of the seats already announced.

Second thoughts on Adampur, Majitha

• Mohinder Kaypee, CM Channi’s relative, has staked claim to the Adampur Assembly seat, allotted to Sukhwinder Singh Kotli
• Bhagwant Pal Singh Sachar wants ticket from the Majitha segment, which has been allotted to Jagwinder Pal Singh

In the discussions held by the AICC-appointed screening committee, a consensus on single candidates is learnt to have been arrived at on as many as 10 seats. On the remaining 21 seats, there are two or three names. A senior party leader said the Adampur and Majitha seats, which have already been announced, could be reviewed.

On the Fazilka seat, a primarily Hindu seat, the party is yet to clear the name of sitting MLA Devinder Singh Ghubaya. The initial proposal of shifting Ghubaya to the Ferozepur seat has been shelved after the Congress poached AAP’s candidate Ashu Banger to contest from Ferozepur (Rural). Former Patiala Mayor Vishnu Sharma, who recently returned to the Congress, is likely to be fielded from Patiala (Urban).

The party leadership is also in no mood to relent on the demand of ministers Rana Gurjeet and Tript Rajinder Bajwa, seeking the ticket for their sons.