Cong brainstorms on nominees

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20

The state unit of the Congress has zeroed in on probable candidates for the forthcoming by polls to the four Assembly seats — Jalalabad, Phagwara, Dakha and Mukerian.

Instead of forming a panel of candidates for each seat, the party is likely to forward single names to the central leadership for approval.

After a feedback from the MLA, MPs and other leaders, the names would be forwarded to AICC general secretary and Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari, PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar said.

As Jakhar has categorically denied contesting the polls from Dakha, other front runners for the seat are Capt Sandeep Sandhu, political secretary to the CM, Major Singh Bhaini and Jassi Khangura. In the recent parliamentary poll, Capt Sandhu was the front runner from Anandpur Sahib, before Manish Tewari was nominated.

From the Jalalabad segment, Ravinder Amla’s name is under consideration, besides that of Sher Singh Ghubaya, who lost from the Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat recently, while former minister Hans Raj Joshan, Mohan Singh Phalianwala and Anish Sidana are the other contenders. Initially, the name of Raninder Singh, Capt Amarinder’s son, was also doing the rounds for the seat.

For the Phagwara Assembly segment (reserved), former Banga MLA Tarlochan Singh Sondh, who had joined back the party ahead of the LS poll, Balbir Rani Sodhi and Joginder Singh Mann are among the contenders. There is also a buzz about a Punjab-cadre IAS officer being fielded from the Assembly segment. With the BSP making inroads in Doaba in the recent LS poll, the Congress will have to choose the nominee carefully.

For the Mukerian seat, wife of the deceased MLA Rajneesh Babbi is being considered. A senior leader said though the party had 77 MLAs, after the death of Mukerian MLA, winning the four seats would be important as it would be a reflection of the two-and-half-year performance of the government.

Contest on 4 seats

• The contest will be held for four Assembly seats — Jalalabad, Phagwara, Dakha and Mukerian. 
• PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar said: “After a feedback from party leaders, the names will be forwarded to AICC gen secy and Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari.”