Shahkot bypoll: Cong looks a divided house
SYNERGY MISSING IN CAMPAIGN PPCC general secy Sandeep Sandhu is poll incharge; yet, former minister Rana Gurjit Singh, the political guru of candidate Ladi, has been vying to gain parallel control of campaigning, party insiders claim
SHAHKOT (JALANDHAR): Even as pollsters give the edge to the ruling Congress party to win the Shahkot assembly seat, the bypoll for which will be held on May 28 (Monday), the party rank and file has raised doubts over the co-ordination and synergy among its leadership. Two groups are vying for the control of the election process.
Kapurthala MLA and former minister Rana Gurjit Singh, the political guru of Ladi, wants to control the election process. Even as he makes his efforts, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) general secretary Sandeep Sandhu has been working as the election in-charge.
Sandhu resigned from his post as political adviser to chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh to work here. Camped here for the past three weeks, Sandhu has been co-ordinating with MLAs and ministers to implement the party’s strategy.
A senior minister, who is campaigning in the constituency, told HT, “Most ministers and many MLAs have been camping here for the past week. The party has looked a divided house on planning and implementing a strategy for the bypoll.”
‘RANA OPPOSING PARTY STRATEGY’
A senior party functionary claimed that Rana had opposed Sandhu’s strategy. Rana had also expressed his displeasure on, what he claimed was the long rope given to the Majha Express, in managing the bypoll. In the Congress, the Majha Express refers to leaders from this belt.
The ‘Rana group’ even opposed the invitation to local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. “However, with the intervention of senior leaders, mainly from Majha, Sidhu addressed rallies on Wednesday and Thursday,” a source said, adding that Ladi was banking on Rana. Rana is seen addressing 10-15 meetings a day to canvass for Ladi.
“During elections, candidates even reach out to opponents. I am clueless on the strategy of Ladi’s campaigners,” said a senior MLA from Malwa region.
Rana was not available for comments, with his aides saying he was campaigning for Ladi.
“There is no difference in strategy and we will win with a historic margin,” said Sandhu.
FOUR MINISTERS HAVE STAYED AWAY
Party insiders claim that Rana’s presence in the constituency has meant that four ministers, Brahm Mohindra; Razia Sultana; Aruna Chaudhary and Charanjit Channi, are yet to campaign. The last date of campaigning is May 26. PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar, who also does not share a cordial political relationship with Rana, addressed rallies on Thursday. He was last seen during the filing of nomination.
On a query, if he was late for campaigning, Jakhar said, “We first planned a door-to-door campaign. Now, I and Sidhu are holding public meetings. The climax of our campaign will be the CM’s roadshow on May 26.”
When it was pointed out to him that the SAD had been campaigning hard with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and former revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia camping in the constituency for the past 10 days, Jakhar said, “The Akalis are free and they have a lot of explaining to do for false cases registered under their charge.”
EC MUST DEPLOY PARAMILITARY: SAD
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday urged the Election Commission to deploy paramilitary forces to monitor the situation and enforce the model code of conduct in constituency. It has also demanded videography.