1,600 apply for Cong tickets; over Rs1 cr collected as fee
Wednesday, 17/08/2016
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/politics/1-600-apply-for-cong-tickets-over-rs1-cr-collected-as-fee/281280.html
Chandigarh : The surge of Aam Admi Party (AAP) and factionalism within the party have failed to dampen the spirit of Congress ticket-seekers for the 2017 Assembly elections.
The PPCC has received nearly 1,600 applications for the 117 constituencies, around 14 per constituency. The last date to submit the application ended last evening.
The party collected over Rs1 crore as application money. The application fee for general category was Rs10,000 and for reserved category Rs5,000. Sources said the figure could vary a little as the applications received late evening were being processed.
PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari said it was an overwhelming response. “A large number of persons seeking party ticket is a positive sign. During the 2012 Assembly elections, the party had received 1,450 applications,” he said.
CLP leader Charanjit Channi, said he was getting a survey done from a Delhi-based agency.
State party leaders meet Rahul
New Delhi: Punjab Congress leaders, including Capt Amarinder Singh, Ambika Soni and Asha Kumari on Tuesday met party vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the latter’s residence. Also present was party strategist Prashant Kishor. Rahul took stock of the ongoing campaign plans. There were discussions on the future programmes with the door-to-door planned as a major Congress outreach using the slogan, “Ghar Ghar Congress, Har Ghar Congress”, in the coming days. The Punjab Congress has also planned agitations on various issues. Partap Bajwa will start his pro-farmer agitation from August 26 in Gurdaspur.
Not in touch with Gandhi, Khalsa: Capt
Amid reports of suspended AAP MPs Dharamvira Gandhi and HS Khalsa being in touch with the Congress, Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said: "I will be happy to look at such a proposal. But the AAP members are not in touch with us nor have we talked to them. This matter wasn't discussed at the meeting with Rahul."
