Unease in Punjab Cong over new entrants

Wednesday 30th November 2016 06:01 EST
 

NEW DELHI: Many top leaders in the Punjab Congress are citing fresh concerns over new entrants in the party. A meeting of the Congress screening committee for selection of candidates in the state saw state leaders voice their opinion on how new members could impact the party's prospects in election-bound Punjab.

Other than former MLAs Pargat Singh and Dr Navjot Kaur, the party opened its doors to Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Inderbir Bolaria, both former Akali leaders and sitting MLAs. Party members are asking whether all new entrants will get tickets of choice or winnability factor will prevail. The screening panel, headed by Rajasthan ex-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot saw MPs, including Choudhary Santokh Singh, SS Dullo, Partap Bajwa and Ravneet Bittu, former Union Ministers Ashwani Kumar, Manish Tewari and Preneet Kaur share their views.

One of the leaders said, "Most newcomers are like demonetised currency. Their parties have discarded them. Winning prospects of many are questionable. The Congress must stick to the winnability factor. Tickets must go to people who can win and not to those who have joined us for their survival. New entries need deft handling." Other leaders raised questions on how to defend the induction of Phillaur, who is faced with drug peddling allegations. Capt Amarinder Singh promised to end Punjab's drug problem, if voted to power. With Phillaur in the Congress, can we justify this agenda?" a leader asked.

A party insider said, "There are questions. For instance, if Pargat is to be fielded from his current seat Jalandhar Cantt, what will happen to Jagbir Brar, our candidate who lost his segment to him in 2012? We hear Sarwan Singh Phillaur is seeking a ticket from Phillaur, which Congress MP Santokh Singh's son Vikramjit is also seeking. Dinesh Bassi, Punjab Youth Congress leader, has been working in Amritsar East for long, hoping for a ticket. But the Congress could cede this seat to sitting MLA Dr Navjot Kaur. Same is the case with Amritsar South, which Bolaria represents."

Sidhu's wife, ex-Olympian Pargat join Cong

NEW DELHI: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu and former Olympian Pargat Singh joined the Congress party on Monday. Pargat and Kaur met the Congress high command in New Delhi last week to seal the deal. Later, both met Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh and discussed the formalities of their joining the party. The announcement of Pargat and Kaur joining the party was made in presence of senior Congress leaders, including party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.


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