Tough challenge for Bhandari

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 16

Posing a touch challenge to Jalandhar (North) candidate KD Bhandari, three of the area councillors of the BJP may contest against him in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The councillors include veteran BJP leader Ravi Mahendru from ward number 38, Gopal Sharma from ward number 25 and Kishan ‘Minta’ Kochar from ward number 27.

Surprisingly, all three are known to have proximity with the BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia known to have a love-hate relationship with Bhandari.

According to Minta, Bhandari, who is close to Jalandhar Mayor Sunil Jyoti, did not allow any development proposed by him. “I remained a councillor only on paper as it was Bhandari only who decided the work in my area and even issued completion certificates to the contractor,” alleged Kochar.

He said he was under A lot of pressure by area residents to contest independently. “I am checking the pros and cons of the situation but will not go against the wishes of my people. I may file the nominations tomorrow as an independent candidate,” said Kochar.

Ravi Mahendru claimed that being an industrialist, he was getting the support of the entire industrialist community of the area. “I am presently holding discussions with people of my area and may contest as an independent candidate,” said Mahendru.

When asked, Ram Gopal refuted the claim to contest as an independent candidate, but sources in the party said he might throw a surprise by announcing his independent candidature.

There are around 17 wards in the Jalandhar (North) constituency out of which around nine wards are with the BJP, three with Akali leaders and one with an independent.

The three party councillors contesting against Bhandari might affect his prospects of winning the seat.