Hans Raj Hans Cong’s surprise pick for RS; berth for Bajwa too
Thursday, 10/03/2016
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PATIALA: Former state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans, who recently dumped the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to join the Congress, have been finalised as the party’s Rajya Sabha candidates from Punjab.
Though it was almost certain that Bajwa would be “adjusted” for accepting the party high command’s directive to make way for Captain Amarinder Singh’s appointment as the Punjab Congress chief, the name of Hans Raj Hans has come as a surprise for many.
Hans, who projects himself a Balmiki (Dalit) leader, had joined the Congress in the presence of Amarinder on February 20. Considered an “outsider” in the Congress, Hans, who doesn’t have a mass base among the Dalit community, has been picked by the party high command, virtually ignoring its prominent Dalit faces such as Shamsher Singh Dullo, Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Raj Kumar Verka and Santosh Chaudhary.
The high command’s decision provoked a swift and strong criticism from the Dalit leaders. The most stinging reaction came from Dullo who accused Amarinder of damaging the party by inducting and rewarding a former Akali and promilitant leader. “I am going to lodge a strong protest with Sonia Gandhi. When we were fighting terrorism in Punjab, this Sufi singer (Hans) was eulogising militants in his songs,” he said.
All India Congress Committee ( AICC) sources said both names were final and a formal announcement was likely soon. The Rajya Sabha polls are slated for March 21. “It was my dream to sit in Parliament. I’m really grateful to Amarinder Singh,” Hans told HT. The Captain’s move is aimed at wooing the Balmiki community that has a considerable presence in Doaba.
Sources said Amarinder was also keen on the candidature of former Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar or former Union cabinet minister Kapil Sibal. Initially, Sibal’s name was finalised, but Sonia Gandhi changed the decision in favour of Bajwa, they added. Sibal is likely to be nominated next month when two more Rajya Sabha seats fall vacant.
As per vote share in the Vidhan Sabha, the Congress and the SAD will secure two seats each, while the BJP will have one seat. The BJP is yet to decide its Rajya Sabha candidate. Sitting MP Avinash Rai Khanna and former Lok Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu are in the race.
