BJP declares new set of candidates; Hooda’s kin out

Sunil Jakhar is a popular figure and the son of MP Governor Balram Jakhar, a veteran Congress leader. The BJP leadership has decided overlook Bhadu’s claim and test Dr Ram Kumar despite his loss in the last election.

Former Punjab BJP president Madan Mohan Mittal would contest the polls again from Nangal. Mittal, too, had lost in the last election. His name had been withheld earlier because many senior leaders were skeptical about his prospects. He faces Kanwar Pal Singh of Congress.

Senior leader Luxmi Kanta Chawla has been fielded again from Amritsar Central. Known for her integrity, she has won the seat twice. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhena is the new BJP nominee from Amritsar West. The party had put up Om Prakash Kalia in the last election. Another local constituency, Amritsar North, has been kept pending. The candidate for this constituency would be decided along with the candidate for Amritsar LS seat. The party leadership is awaiting the court order on Navjot Singh Sidhu’s plea for a stay on his conviction. If Sidhu or his wife are put up for the LS polls, veteran leader Balram Dass Tandon would be a strong contender for the Assembly seat. The fate of sitting member Tikshan Sood (Hoshiarpur) remains undecided. His

candidature has met with opposition from state BJP president Avinash Rai Khanna, Lok Sabha member from Hoshiarpur constituency.

Arunesh Shaker has been repeated as the BJP candidate from Mukerian. He will be pitted against Congress nominee Rajinsh Kumar, son of Speaker Kewal Krishan. Chuuni Lal Bhagat has also been re-nominated from the Jullundur South constituency.