Congress has released its first list of 86 candidates today. The names of 4 sitting MLAs have been excluded from the list. In the first list itself the party has declared the seats of all ministers and MLAs including Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu, CM Charanjeet Singh Channi, MP Pratap Bajwa. However, Sunil Jakhar will not contest the elections from Abohar this time. His nephew, Sandeep Jakhar has been given a chance to contest. Former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has been given a ticket from Lehra.
In the same way in place of Brahm Mohindra, his son Mohit Mohindra has been given a ticket from Patiala Rural. Although, CM Channi wanted to vouch for hi brother Dr. Manohar Singh from Bassi Pathan but the sitting MLA Gurpreet GP has been given the ticket.
MLAs who got excluded:
· Harjot Kamal, ticket given to Malvika Sood
· Ajaib Singh Bhatti, ticket given to Rupinder Kaur Ruby. He was a former AAP member.
· Balwinder Laddi’s seat has also been cancelled and has been given to Mandeep Singh Rangad Nangal.
· Nathuram’s ticket from Balluana has been cancelled and has been given to Rajinder Kaur.
The interesting thing is that the MLAs from whom the Congress had snatched the ministerial post for being close to Captain Amarinder Singh, have been given tickets again. They include Gurpreet Kangar from Rampura Phool, Balbir Sidhu from Mohali, Sham Sunder Arora from Hoshiarpur, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot from Nabha. Interesting in this is the Dakha assembly constituency of Ludhiana. Where the Congress has given ticket to Captain Sandeep Sandhu, who was the advisor to the Captain.
Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, who opposed Sidhu while staying within the Congress, has again been given a ticket from Kapurthala. For the last few days, he was constantly raising questions about Navjot Sidhu's attitude.
Congress has given ticket to Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala from Mansa, a popular seat. From there, sitting MLA Najar Singh Manshahia and youth leader Chuspinder Singh, who came to Congress from AAP, were demanding tickets. However, there was no hearing from him.
Sukhpal Khaira's name is shocking in the list of Congress. Khaira left AAP and joined Congress under the leadership of Captain Amarinder Singh. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate a few months back. Even at this time he is lodged in Patiala Jail.