In defection season,Sukhbir queers pitch for cousin Manpreet

Brar,who had contested the 2007 state polls as an Independent against the then Congress nominee Raghubir Singh,polled 28,000 votes against Raghubir’s 34,000 — which together was higher than Manpreet’s 54,000.

An optimistic Congress smelled victory in the division of the Akali vote after Manpreet rebelled. Now,Sukhbir has further queered the pitch by fielding Congress defector Sant Brar,who had made his intentions of contesting — from whichever side chose him — amply clear to all concerned.

By fielding a Youth Congress candidate,Amarinder Singh Raja Warring,from the Akali bastion,the Congress will also witness some undercutting of votes by the Raghubir camp besides Brar cutting both ways — Congress and PPP votes.

Notorious for being faction-ridden,the Gidderbaha Congress even took an oath in the historical Kauni village gurdwara this time to stand united behind whoever the party decides to field from the constituency. But all that was before Raja’s name was announced.

Sant Brar was already in touch with Sukhbir and wasted no time in embracing the Akali Dal. So,where earlier just the Congress vote was divided,now even that of Akalis will be split between who they support — Manpreet or Sukhbir. And Sant Brar may ‘cut’ both ways in triangular contest.

But Manpreet,who had predicted that Congress is only looking united till the ticket is announced,contends that in a three-corner contest,he gains. “None from the ruling family could muster the courage to face me. They did everything to destroy me. Gidderbaha will witness either a pro-Manpreet or anti-Manpreet vote,” he said.