Bibi not keen, SAD to pick Zira or Valtoha for Khadoor Sahib
CHANDIGARH : With its senior leader and former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur expressing her reluctance to contest the upcoming parliamentary polls from the Khadoor Sahib constituency, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is pinning its hopes on Hari Singh Zira (78), an old guard leader, and firebrand Virsa Singh Valtoha (56).
The SAD will have to pitch a new candidate from the segment after its sitting MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura was expelled from the party following a revolt against the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Brahmpura along with taksali Akalis Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Rattan Singh Ajnala and other marginalised leaders had formed a breakaway faction, Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali), on December 16.
On Monday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’S Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann approached Brahmpura seeking an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, dropping a hint that either the sitting MP or his son Ravinder Singh Brahmpura could contest from the segment.
While SAD wanted Jagir Kaur to contest from the constituency, she is learnt to have shown her interest in heading the apex gurdwara body or contest the assembly bypoll from Bholath, her home turf, as her bête noire and sitting MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces disqualification as an MLA.
As per the People’s Representation Act, once a constituency falls vacant it has to go for bypoll within six months. There are chances that the Bholath bypoll will be held along with the parliamentary elections.
When reached for comment, Bibi said she has not made her mind on contesting the election. “But I will contest from where my party asks me to,” she said.
Having been elected twice from Bholath as an MLA, she is not willing to let go of the constituency where she enjoys a stranglehold.
“Since also has a strong command over religious matters, she is keen to head the SGPC which will elect new office-bearers in November,” said a party insider.
Also, after her acquittal in a case of murder of her daughter, Bibi is keen to be active in the state politics and wants to stay connected with the religious domain.
Party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said in the ongoing constituency-level meetings, Sukhbir is getting feedback on probable candidates for the upcoming elections.
“There is no question mark on the Panthic and taksali credentials of the two leaders. By fielding one of them, the party will be in a position to counter the taksali card that Brahmpura might play,” said a party leader.