MUKERIAN: Congress’s strategy of retaining most sitting MLAs to avoid an implosion does not seem to be working entirely. Soon after announcement of ticket to Mukerian MLA Indu Bala, a rebellion started in the local unit, and quite a few local party leaders joined hands to ensure her defeat. They said all leaders who were part of mafia or made money from illegal mining, had been given tickets.
After holding a meeting with party workers here, local office-bearers of the party announced that eight of them had joined hands and one of them would be fielded in the elections. They said they were also contacting Sanukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) to join hands. They said if that would happen, their candidate would be able to defeat Bala.
Ranjodh Singh, a Congress councillor who announced the collective decision of the local party rebels, said they had already warned the party against giving the ticket to Badal and they once again giving a warning. “We shall ensure that she is defeated. Congress has exhibited a corrupt image. All gundas (goons), those part of the mafia and those who made money from illegal mining have been given tickets again. Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu had promised to cleanse the party. That he would not allow any corruption, but now that sounds hollow. We have decided that one of us eight would contest,” he said.
He said in all internal surveys conducted by the party, Bala was trailing. Ranjodh added that till Friday, they were given the impression that she would be replaced.
He attacked state Congress working president and minister Sangat Singh Giljian too, and took potshots at chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Sidhu, saying the two were bound to get into a fight one day.
The other rebels include Congress district vice-president Tarsem Singh Minhas, zila parishad members Jaswant Singh Randhawa, Sumit Dadwal and Hajipur block president Kulbhushan Sohl, and local leader Interjit Singh Khalsa. “We are shocked by her candidature,” said Khalsa.
After holding a meeting with party workers here, local office-bearers of the party announced that eight of them had joined hands and one of them would be fielded in the elections. They said they were also contacting Sanukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) to join hands. They said if that would happen, their candidate would be able to defeat Bala.
Ranjodh Singh, a Congress councillor who announced the collective decision of the local party rebels, said they had already warned the party against giving the ticket to Badal and they once again giving a warning. “We shall ensure that she is defeated. Congress has exhibited a corrupt image. All gundas (goons), those part of the mafia and those who made money from illegal mining have been given tickets again. Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu had promised to cleanse the party. That he would not allow any corruption, but now that sounds hollow. We have decided that one of us eight would contest,” he said.
He said in all internal surveys conducted by the party, Bala was trailing. Ranjodh added that till Friday, they were given the impression that she would be replaced.
He attacked state Congress working president and minister Sangat Singh Giljian too, and took potshots at chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Sidhu, saying the two were bound to get into a fight one day.
The other rebels include Congress district vice-president Tarsem Singh Minhas, zila parishad members Jaswant Singh Randhawa, Sumit Dadwal and Hajipur block president Kulbhushan Sohl, and local leader Interjit Singh Khalsa. “We are shocked by her candidature,” said Khalsa.
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