Sulking Kaypee meets Asha Kumari, Sibal

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 9

Continuing to lodge protest over being ignored in allotment of ticket for the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee today met Punjab Congress incharge Asha Kumari seeking a review of ticket given to sitting MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh.

Accompanied by SC leader of the party Raj Kumar Verka, Kaypee said he had demanded that the Jalandhar ticket be also reviewed in the April 11 meeting of the central election committee. He said he had already met Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh and PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar in this regard.

Kaypee, who had earlier alleged that the party had murdered him politically, said he had told the three leaders that Chaudhary had been a “non-performer” and “unpopular leader” and diverting a larger share from his MPLADS funds to Phillaur, where his son Vikramjit Chaudhary had unsuccessfully contested. “If the Jalandhar (North) ticket could be reviewed twice last time, why can’t it be this time,” he reportedly told the party higher-ups. In Delhi, Kaypee also met former minister Kapil Sibal requesting him to put in a word to the high command for him.

Meanwhile, in Jalandhar party workers, including former councillors, held a protest over denial of ticket to Kaypee outside Congress Bhawan. They also met Girish Garg, Congress coordinator, demanding review of ticket.

Balmiki, Mazhabi Sikhs to oppose Cong

Sangrur: After a state-level meeting here, various Balmiki and Mazhabi Sikh leaders announced to oppose Congress candidates across the state if the party failed to give tickets to members of their communities. “We will oppose the Congress candidate as there is resentment against the party among Mazhabi Sikhs and Balmiki community for ignoring our candidate during the selection of candidates,” said Darshan Singh Kangra, president, Dalit Welfare Sangathan, Punjab. He said leaders of both communities from across the state attended the meeting in a local Balmiki temple. “We will start our campaign against the Congress in the coming days,” said Kangra. TNS