Party doesn’t need big faces: Bajwa to MLAs

The statement has irked many who said that both big and small faces were needed at this time to win the Dhuri polls. However, the meeting only saw around 8 sitting MLAs of the total 44 Congress MLAs and about 10-12 former MLAs, apart from local leaders from Sangrur and other areas.

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Most MLAs, in fact, asked why Amarinder was not invited for the meeting. To this, AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed said, “Amarinder was invited but there was some communication error because of which the message reached him late. The issue will be sorted out soon. He will be campaigning in Dhuri for not less than four days and this is my word to all.”

Gaganjeet Singh Barnala, who arranged the meeting and whose son Simarpartap Singh Barnala is contesting in the bypolls, said, “Every party has factionalism over one or the other issue. This will not affect the prospects of Simarpartap. Maharaja Sahib’s blessings are with us and we are sure that he will come to the constituency again to campaign. We have family bonds for the past four generations and minor issues will not affect these. Simar is like Maharaja Sahib’s grandson.”

Bajwa, meanwhile, tried to avoid interaction with the media saying he was busy assigning duties. Former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, when asked for a reaction to Bajwa’s statement, said, “I did not hear such lines. I was caught up with other works, but definitely we need one and all in this campaign. The party’s image is at stake and we need to put up a united face as there is a strong anti-incumbency wave in the constituency against the ruling alliance. We need to take benefit of this.”

“Capt Amarinder was busy with his book release function. Differences, if any, will be sorted out. Shakeel Ahmed has given us this commitment and we believe in him.” Lal Singh and Braham Mohindra too said the party needed to put up a united face in the bypoll.

Khanna MLA Gurkirat Kotli, however, expressed resentment at Amarinder Singh not being invited. “Election duties should be given at booth levels to ensure maximum work at ground level,” he said. Among the MLAs present on Sunday were Lal Singh, Braham Mohindra, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Gurkirat Kotli, Tripat Rajinder Bajwa and Parminder Singh Pinki.

Former MLAs Darshan Singh Brar, Joginder Mann, S S Sibia, former MP Vijayinder Singla, Santosh Chaudhary, Youth Congress state president Bikram Chaudhary and a few others also attended the meeting.

Bring Capt for tough competition

Many leaders said on conditions of anonymity that Capt Amarinder should be called in to campaign in the constituency to offer tough competition to the opponents, something that was not visible at the moment.