Rattan Singh is AAP pick for Shahkot byelection

CHANDIGARH : The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday named Rattan Singh, 62, as its candidate for the Shahkot assembly byelection. His name was announced by AAP state unit co-president Balbir Singh in the presence of Delhi deputy chief minister and Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia. Rattan Singh, who is general secretary of Doaba zonal unit of the AAP, belongs to an influential family of Kakkar Kalan village in Lohian. Besides owning 100 acres, his family has a construction business in Dubai which is managed by his son.

JALANDHAR: Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM)-cum-returning officer (RO) of Shahkot Jagjit Singh, on Saturday, issued a notice to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and circle jathedar Charan Singh for holding a protest in violation of the model code of conduct.

The development came a day after the SAD leaders, including Charan Singh, Adampur MLA Pawan Tinu and party candidate Naib Singh held a protest against the Congress party candidate Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, who was booked for illegal mining in Shahkot. The SAD leaders had also burnt an effigy of Ladi before submitting a memorandum.

As per the model code of conduct, no candidate or any other party leader can hold a protest or gather public without taking permission from the returning officer concerned. In his notice, the SDM Jagjit Singh has asked the defaulter to appear before him in person to give clarification on holding a protest despite the information that model code of conduct is in force. HTC