OBCs seek their due in Cong ticket allocation

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14

As the Punjab Congress leadership is busy discussing the potential candidates, OBC leaders today accused the party of ignoring them while allocating ticket for the parliamentary elections.

After holding a meeting here, party leaders from Ramgarhia, Gujjar and Saini communities decided to hold a show of strength at Anandpur Sahib in the coming days to send across their message to the party leadership, apart from meeting senior leaders in Delhi.

Leaders RP Singh, Rajpal Singh, Gursewak Cheema, Inderjit Singh Basarke and Surjit Singh Siota said despite the OBC vote share being close to 30 per cent, the party had been ignoring them despite their loyalty. At least three seats should be given to the OBCs in Punjab, they said, while addressing a press conference.

Rajpal Singh pointed out that the Jats were getting more seats, despite their vote bank being largely inclined towards the Akalis. “Instead of bringing parachute candidates, local leaders should be fielded from Anandpur Sahib and other seats,” said RP Singh.

“Charanjit Singh Channi was the last leader from the OBC community who was given the ticket in 1999. The seats are distributed among the Jat, Hindu and SC leaders,” said Soita.