Poll fever yet to catch up in Khadoor Sahib
Sunday, 24/01/2016
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KHADOOR SAHIB: Twelve days after the election commission issued a notification for the Khadoor Sahib assembly byelections, poll fever is yet to catch up in the constituency.
The residence of Congress leader Ramanjit Singh Sikki on the Tarn Taran-Goindwal Sahib road wears a deserted look.
No posters or hoardings have been put up to woo the electorate. Also, conspicuously missing are blaring loudspeakers.
What’s more, no candidate has yet filed nomination for the seat that fell vacant in November 2015 after Congress MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki quit his post over sacrilege incidents.
While the Shiromani Akali Dal has fielded Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, son of party stalwart Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Congress has reposed faith in Sikki.
Sources said Ravinder Singh Brahmpura and independent candidate Sumel Singh Sidhu, former state convener of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are likely to file their nominations on January 25.
Another AAP dissident and gurbani exponent Bhai Baldeep Singh will file papers on January 27. Sikki is also likely to file his nomination on the same date.
“After January 26, our poll campaign will gain momentum as all ministers, MPs, MLAs, chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) and other senior leaders who have been assigned canvassing duties, will reach here, Right now, they are busy with Republic Day arrangements,” said Ravinder Brahmpura.
The SAD candidate is conducting meetings in various villages.
Political pundits say the campaigning will pick pace after announcement of Sikki’s candidature.
The bypoll is a big test for Punjab Pardesh Cong ress Committee (PPCC) president Captain Amarinder Singh, who has recently taken over the reins of the state unit, they added.
