Punjab assembly polls: Yet to name candidates, Congress puts up joint front

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8

It will be a double challenge for the Punjab Congress as the state goes to the polls on February 14. Facing a four-way contest, the Congress is yet to resolve the differences between CM Charanjit Channi and PCC chief Navjot Sidhu.

Trio’s posters out

Within minutes of the model code of conduct coming into force, the Punjab Congress digital platforms posted joint posters of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and campaign panel chief Sunil Jakhar.

Also, the party is yet to announce its candidates. The meeting of central election committee to finalise the first list of candidates, that was scheduled today, has been postponed, as chairman Ajay Maken is reported to have tested positive for Covid-19. The party leaders have a consensus on nearly 90 candidates, whereas it has made up its mind to replace 15 to 20 sitting MLAs.

So far, the party has been reluctant to announce the CM face and has been maintaining the line of going into the elections collectively under Channi, Sidhu and former PCC chief Sunil Jakhar, said party leader Randeep Surjewala on Saturday.

A senior party leader said riding on the “anti-Punjabiat” narrative against the BJP, the party hopes to cash in on the achievements of the Channi-led government, apart from the Dalit factor to counter opponents.

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