Fearing denial of ticket, Cong MLAs Fateh Jung Bajwa, Balwinder Singh Laddi join BJP

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 28

Ahead of the Punjab Assembly poll early next year, Congress MLAs Fateh Jung Bajwa (Qadian) and Balwinder Singh Laddi (Sri Hargobindpur) joined the BJP today. Sources said since they were unlikely to be given ticket by the Congress, they switched over to the saffron party. The Congress is learnt to have identified at least 10-12 MLAs who performed poorly in surveys conducted by it to work out the merit of prospective candidates.

Also read: Partap Bajwa-Fateh Jung rift out in the open

Guruharsahai MLA Rana Gumit Sodhi, who recently joined the BJP, was also among those who were likely to be denied the ticket.

A senior party leader said, “We won’t be surprised if a few more MLAs, who are not in a winning position, join the BJP or other party in the coming days. The BJP is poaching Congress MLAs to create a false impression of its consolidating position.” The sources said since the Congress had already conveyed to Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa to contest from Qadian, his younger brother Fateh Jung quit the party. It is yet to be seen whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fields him against his brother from Qadian or gives him ticket from Batala.

Fearing “attempts by the BJP to poach more MLAs”, leaders from Majha Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Kulbir Singh Zira, Barindermeet Singh Pahra are reported to have met Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Chaudhary on the issue of PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu hitting out at Tript Bajwa while extending support to former Batala MLA Ashwani Sekhri.

On the other hand, some Doaba MLAs have been targeting Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh. The Majha leaders had played a big role in teaming with Sidhu to oust former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

Cricketer Mongia in BJP fold too

Former cricketer Dinesh Mongia joined the BJP in presence of party’s state in-charge and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday. Shekhawat claimed the party was gaining ground in Punjab.

Ticket to Bajwa Sr?

Sources say since the Congress had already conveyed to Partap Singh Bajwa to contest from Qadian, his younger brother Fateh Jung quit the party.

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