Congress party's candidate for Gurdaspur by-election Sunil Jakhar (R) with Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh [File Photo]

General News

Congress To Field Sunil Jakhar For Gurdaspur Lok Sabha By-Election

By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

September 21, 2017

NewDelhi: As per the media reports the Punjab Congress unit after consultation with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi here on Wednesday decided to field its Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar for Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh was the one who personally recommended Sunil Jakhar’s name to Sonia Gandhi who further gave her clearance for  the high stakes October 11 bypoll.

The Congress announced Jakhar’s name after placating former Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa, who was demanding the ticket for wife Charanjit Kaur, a former lawmaker from Qadian. While referring to its sources within the  party the media reports said that the Bajwas had been promised “suitable adjustment” in Punjab, where the Congress needed to win Gurdaspur to cement its political strength being the party in power.

Categorically speaking “suitable adjustment” here can be interpreted as handing over the charge or chairmanship of an important government organisation or board.

“The Congress cannot afford a defeat. Betting on a potential winner was crucial. Jakhar’s political profile was the best among that of other contenders,” reads the quote from the statement given by anonymous AICC official published in an English vernacular.

If the Congress wins the seat, it would have four MPs from Punjab. More importantly, it would deal a body blow to the BJP , which is yet to announce its candidate. BJP’s Vinod Khanna was holding the seat before he died earlier this year, notes The Tribune (TT).