Party faces revolt in Pathankot

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, January 15

The Congress is facing rebellion in all three constituencies of Pathankot district. The warring party men have united for once in Pathankot town, Sujanpur and Bhoa (reserved) constituencies to challenge the high command’s decision.

In Sujanpur (a BJP stronghold), from where Deputy Speaker Dinesh Singh Babbu is seeking a third term, former minister Raghunath Sahai Puri’s son Naresh Puri will contest as an Independent in a direct challenge to party nominee Amit Singh Mantu.

In Pathankot, seven ticket aspirants — former MLAs Ashok Sharma and Raman Bhalla, youth leader Kartik Wadhera, Anil Dara, Romesh Tola, Yogesh Thakur and Sushil Khosla — have joined hands to confront official nominee Amit Vij.

“I am not worried about the rebellion, but am more worried about how to bring more industry to the area to root out unemployment,” says Vij.

In Bhoa, where Joginder Pal Singh has been given the ticket, former MLA Rumal Chand and Balbir Fatehpuria (party’s official candidate in 2012) are all set to contest as Independents.

Rahul’s aide in action

Krishna Allaveru, a key member of Rahul Gandhi’s core team, on Sunday met aggrieved party leaders, including Ashok Sharma, in Pathankot. He is learnt to have asked the leaders not to contest against Amit Vij.