Saffron party puts up united show in Ferozepur

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, January 16

The two warring groups within the “saffron” party, one led by former BJP state president Kamal Sharma and other belonging to two-time MLA and BJP candidate for Ferozepur (Urban) Sukhpal Singh Nannu, today came together to put up united front during the road show held by Nannu which traversed through various parts of the city and cantonment areas.

Though Kamal himself was not present, being out of station, his key associates, including Municipal Council President Ashwani Grover, were present on the occasion.

It’s for the first time in the past several years that the two groups, hitherto separated by egoism and one-upmanship, were seen together.

“Over the years, the internal strife had plagued our party. However, now it seems the leaders have buried the hatchet in party’s interest,” said Inder Gupta, BJP social media incharge. However, many party insiders revealed that the “honeymoon” may not last long as Sharma himself along with senior leaders like DP Chandan, Jugraj Singh Katora and others were conspicuous by their absence.

Nannu, who won for two consecutive terms in 2002 and 2007 Assembly elections, had lost to first-timer Parminder Singh Pinki of the Congress by over 21,000 votes last time.

Nannu is once again pitted against Pinki. Besides, Congress turncoat Narinder Sandha from AAP and Rakesh Bharti of BSP are also in the fray. Meanwhile, Pinki filed his nomination papers today. He said the electorate would repose faith in him.

In Guruharsahai, Vardev Singh Mann, alias Noni, also filed his papers following a road show. His brother Nardev Singh Mann filed nomination papers as his covering candidate. AAP candidate from Zira Gurpreet Singh Gora also filed his papers today. Till date, 17 candidates have filed papers from four constituencies of this district.