Bajwa, Dullo file nomination papers to Rajya Sabha

Amarinder Singh did not accompany Dullo, who completed his nomination process later in the day.

Congress leaders Pratap Singh Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo with Capt Amrinder Singh (center) after filling nomination for Rajya Sabha on Friday in Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh, March 11 2016. Express photo

HOURS before the filing nominations of its two Rajya Sabha candidates, the Congress camp spent some anxious minutes handling a storm kicked up by MLAs rebelling against the party’s decision to nominate former Punjab Congress presidents Partap Singh Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo.

With the rebellion brewing since Thursday night, senior functionaries of the party got into firefighting mode after being alerted that former CLP leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar was being egged on to file papers as an Independent by several of his aides.

Jakhar, a loyalist of Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh, denied such claims strongly to party leaders and the media alike. The issue was sorted out only after Amarinder, who celebrated his 74th birthday Friday, started the day with a meeting at his home involving a few party legislators with general secretary and part state affairs in-charge Shakeel Ahmad and secretary, Harish Choudhary, before the start of the Vidhan Sabha session. Not many legislators were seen in the house till 11 am. They started pouring in only after the meeting.

The ‘rebellion’ was reined in after Shakeel asked the legislators to respect the decision of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, for the sake of not just their party but themselves as they were faced with a crucial election next year.

The MLAs, largely those belonging to Amarinder camp, it is learnt, told the leaders that Dullo was criticising the party at every step and yet he was being rewarded. Jakhar was not a part of the meeting.

The party is set for a crucial strategy meeting in Chandigarh Friday wherein Rahul Gandhi and strategist Prashant Kishor would brainstorm with 50 party leaders from Punjab.

Later, Bajwa filed his nomination papers in the presence of Shakeel, Harish and Amarinder. Amarinder did not accompany Dullo, who completed his nomination process later in the day. Shakeel Ahmad and Choudhary watched the session in progress, seated in the Speaker’s gallery.

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The unrest began after the names of candidates were announced yesterday. The party high command dropped the name of Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans, who had been recommended strongly by Amarinder. Dullo’s moves to get himself nominated prompted several MLAs to push for Jakhar at the last minute. They felt Bajwa was being compensated while Jakhar, who proved to be a strong opposition leader of Vidhan Sabha with good oratorial skills, was ignored. While AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi kept his promise to Bajwa, Amarinder did not push for his loyalist.

Amarinder told The Indian Express that he was “disappointed” over Hans being dropped at the last minute.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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