Sukhpal Khaira on Bhagwant Mann’s turf Sangrur

Sukhpal Khaira on Bhagwant Mann’s turf Sangrur
Chandigarh: In the first list of six candidates announced by the Congress, the party has challenged CM Bhagwant Mann on his home turf Sangrur by fielding its fire brand leader Sukhpal Khaira from the constituency, twice represented by Mann.

Not only Sangrur, the party has again challenged the CM by fielding former CM Charanjit Channi from the Jalandhar seat. “After the CM had said winning Jalandhar and Sangrur was a matter of prestige, we have thrown a strong challange for him”, said CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa.

Party leaders feel that being a vocal leader and victim of political vendetta by AAP, Sukhpal Khaira, who is the sitting MLA from Bholath, was the best bet against AAP pride.

While adopting a wait-and-watch policy amid lurking danger of poaching by opponents, the party has preferred to field its two sitting MPs, GS Aujla (Amritsar) and Dr Amar Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib)

Despite the opposition from local leaders in Patiala, party leaders said Dr Dharamvira Gandhi was the best bet as, after the exit of Capt Amarinder singh and his wife from the party, there was leadership vaccum in Patiala. Though the Patiala seat has the highest percentage of OBC voters, the party has preferred a Hindu face. Party leaders feel Dr Gandhi induction has improved the perception game of the Congress.

For the crucial seat of Bathinda, the party ignored protest by local leaders to field Jeet Mohinder Sidhu. Being a four-time MLA, Sidhu has vast experience with him.