New Delhi/Chandigarh, Sept 18: The names of PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar and other Congress probables for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll were discussed during a meeting at Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s official residence in New Delhi on Sunday.
The discussions were held between Congress incharge for Punjab Asha Kumari, Capt Amarinder and Jakhar. Later, a party statement said it was decided that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi would take a call on the candidate. Asha Kumari said, “We met and discussed the situation in the constituency. The high command will take the final decision.” Capt Amarinder and Asha Kumari will meet Sonia tomorrow.
Jakhar is said to have been named as an acceptable candidate by a majority of the party’s seven legislators from Assembly segments under Gurdaspur parliamentary seat. He also has the CM’s backing.
It is learnt that the names of former Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa and his wife, former Qadian MLA Charanjit Kaur Bajwa, also figured in the talks.
Speculation is rife that the party may field a Hindi candidate. Apart from Jakhar, the options include former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar and former Batala MLA Ashwani Sekhri.
The Congress is expected to formally announce the name on September 21, the first day of the Navratras.
“Since it’s virtually a mid-term poll, the party might prefer a low-profile candidate acceptable to Capt Amarinder and Partap Bajwa camps,” a senior party leader said on the condition of anonymity.
“We are not short of choices, be it a Hindu candidate or a Jat Sikh face,” the leader added.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
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