Unity show by BJP, Akalis

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, September 22

Former local MP Vinod Khanna’s wife Kavita Khanna, who was a BJP ticket contender, accompanied party candidate Swaran Salaria as he filed his papers today.

The SAD and BJP, known to be at loggerheads in majority of the nine Assembly segments that comprise this parliamentary constituency, put up a joint show of strength in favour of Salaria.

Even the dissidents within the BJP fell in line and reached the venue in full strength.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, BJP state president Vijay Sampla, Pathankot Mayor Anil Vasudeva and former SAD and BJP ministers and MLAs accompanied Salaria to the returning officer’s room.

State BJP incharge and national vice-president Prabhat Jha, too, was present.

Kavita was asked by the party leadership to accompany Salaria during the paper filing process.

“The high command’s decision to ask Kavita to accompany Salaria was a masterstroke. This gave a signal to the Congress that the party is united,” said a BJP leader.

Sources claimed that the party might have staged an impressive show of strength, but the BJP’s differences with its alliance partner — SAD — in as many as six of the nine Assembly seats are too discernible to evaporate overnight.

“It is time to close ranks with the Akalis if we have to beat the Congress candidate. The BJP leadership should hold talks with the Akalis in as many as six seats where there are glaring differences,” the party leader said.

“These differences arose during the last Assembly poll and things are yet to be sorted out. If these are not addressed immediately, the BJP candidate may find it difficult to garner votes in these seats. The most pronounced differences are in the Batala and Gurdaspur seats,” he added.

Assets

S Salaria: Rs 589.6 crore

Spouse: Rs 147.1 crore

Total (self and spouse): 

Rs 736.7 crore (approx)

Neither Salaria nor his wife own a vehicle