In unusual move, Cong appoints two election incharges for bypoll

In an unusual move, which clearly shows factionalism in the party, the Congress on Friday appointed two election incharges for the Dhuri bypoll.

While deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha and Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh had nominated the name of Guru Har Sahai MLA Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi to the high command, Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa had suggested the name of former Sangrur MP Vijay Inder Singla.

To ensure the presence of both Bajwa and Amarinder for the crucial byelection, the high command has approved both the names. A communique in this regard was released by Bajwa.

Sources said Amarinder had asked the high command to appoint Sodhi so that his team could take charge of the campaign. However, Bajwa also sent the name of his choice to the high command, which approved both.

Sources said though AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmad had reportedly asked senior Congress MLA Brahm Mohindra to be the election incharge as someone acceptable to both the factions, the latter refused.

Normally, a single leader handles the campaign for a byelection and allocates various duties.

Though the Congress has put up a united show to launch the campaign of its candidate Simarpartap Singh Barnala, so far he is missing from the election scene, whereas the Akalis are firing on all cylinders.

To retain the vote bank and prevent workers’ migration to the SAD, the Congress leaders have to camp at Dhuri till the bypoll. The SAD has already launched a massive drive to rope in Congress workers from the area to win the bypoll.

The Congress, which has so far been missing from the scene, has called a meeting of all MPs, MLAs, former MLAs and party office-bearers at Dhuri on Sunday, where Shakeel Ahmad will assign duties to the party leaders.

As the Barnala family has strong ties with Amarinder, the latter has assured them campaigning for five days, which would be scheduled as per their convenience.

On the other hand, Bajwa and his men would camp at Dhuri from Sunday. People’s Party of Punjab leader Manpreet Singh Badal will also campaign for Barnala.

Barnala, a Sanjha Morcha candidate, is contesting the bypoll on the Congress symbol.