Cong Punjab list likely in batches

Thursday, 15/12/2016

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/cong-punjab-list-likely-in-batches/337038.html

New Delhi : The Congress is likely to announce its Punjab candidate list in installments with the party still engaging ticket hopefuls to quell chances of rebellion ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections.

The fifth meeting of the screening committee will take place tomorrow after which the Central Election Committee chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi will meet to clear the first list. The Tribune has learnt that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wants the Punjab leadership to engage all ticket aspirants and placate serious contenders before a final candidate is named. The candidature of former Akali leaders who recently joined Congress remains under debate with Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today saying ex-Akalis won’t be fielded without caution. “Ex-Akalis will be fielded only in places where Congress does not have its own candidates. Many of our MLAs earlier went to the Akali Dal. There are many places like Talwandi Sabo and Nihalsinghwala where we don’t have candidates. Former Akalis who have joined us will be fielded in such places only,” Singh said.

Congress insiders have been opposing the nomination of former Akalis and sitting MLAs Mahesh Inder Singh, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Inderbir Boleria, Deepender Dhillon and Rajvinder Kaur, among others, forcing the leadership to take a calibrated stand on the matter. Capt Amarinder Singh, meanwhile, denied any dispute in the screening panel on candidates and said, “Disputes are only of the nature of whether a father should fight or a son.”

Many senior leaders like Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Lal Singh and Guriqbal Babli are keen that their wards fight elections. This, however, is difficult considering Congress has framed a ‘one ticket for one family’ rule.

Many leaders have also sought replacement of their seats citing winnability considerations. This matter is under debate with a Congress insider saying, “It remains to be seen whether exceptions to rules will be allowed.”

Quelling rebellion is another priority for the party, with Rahul Gandhi keen on engaging ticket aspirants who will be denied nominations. “We are confident of handling whatever little rebellion we may see just like all political parties see all the time. At the end of our many deliberations, we are sure we will come up with something which will be in the interest of the party,” Congress’ in charge for Punjab Asha Kumari said.

It is learnt that debate on around 37 Punjab seats continues while the rest are more or less clear now.