Bittu, Bajwa back different candidates for DCC-rural chief’s post
Monday, 27/10/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141027/punjab.htm#14
Ludhiana : Even as the controversy over replacing the president of the District Congress Committee (DCC), Ludhiana (urban), has yet to die down, the race for the post of DCC, Ludhiana (rural) has reportedly intensified. The names of two Congress leaders are being mentioned.
Gurdev Singh Lapran and Major Singh Bhaini are among those being considered for the post, it is learnt. Lapran was close to the late Beant Singh. He has been DCC Ludhiana (rural) president twice, from 1993 to 1998 and from 1999 to 2004. Barring a brief period when he joined the SAD, he has been with the Congress for more than two decades. Sources say that Lapran has the support of Ravneet Singh Bittu, Member of Parliament from Ludhiana.
Bhaini wields influence in the Sidhwan Bet area. Both Lapran and Bhaini are in their early 50s.
While Lapran’s association with the Congress has been for more than 27 years, Bhaini joined the Congress 16 years ago after quitting the SAD. He is senior Congress leader Gurdip Singh Bhaini’s son. A senior party leader claimed: “Bhaini has had uneasy ties with several Congress leaders, including a former MLA. But Lapran has few detractors.” But Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Partap Singh Bajwa is learnt to be keen on appointing Bhaini as DCC (rural) chief.
Lapran, when contacted, said: “I believe in connecting with the people at the grassroots level.” Lapran has been a Zila Parishad member and sarpanch of Lapran village. He started his political innings as leader of the students’ union at Government College, Karamsar, Ludhiana.
Bhaini, talking to The Tribune over the phone, said: “I believe in cooperation. My endeavour is to take along all leaders and party members.” Bhaini was elected sarpanch of Bhaini Aryian village in 1983. He was later elected chairman of the Sidhwan Bet Block Samiti.
Asked about the likely changes in the DCC, Ludhiana (rural), the PPCC president said: “There will be none in the near future.”
