Cong Kharar MLA Kang raises banner of revolt against party

Despite the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee’s decision to field candidates for the upcoming municipal council elections, Kharar MLA Jagmohan Singh Kang has chosen not to toe the party line by not announcing any candidate for the polls. It now appears party leaders are depending on independents, hoping those who emerge victorious would later join the Congress.

Despite the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee’s decision to field candidates for the upcoming municipal council elections, Kharar MLA Jagmohan Singh Kang has chosen not to toe the party line by not announcing any candidate for the polls. It now appears party leaders are depending on independents, hoping those who emerge victorious would later join the Congress.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa observed though it had been decided at a recent PPCC meeting that all candidates would contest on the party symbol it was “strange” none were running from Kharar. “I’ve already brought the issue to the notice of the party leadership and will once again take it up,” he said.

Surprisingly, SAD-BJP candidates are contesting on the party symbol in all 27 MC wards. In the last elections held in 2009 most candidates ran as independents in 15 wards with two joining the Congress and seven signing up with SAD-BJP.

Speaking to this reporter, Kang said: “After a meeting held with local leaders it was decided they would not field candidates contesting on the party symbol. In any case most independents are affiliated with the Congress and expect they would join the party after winning the polls.”

Former MLA and SAD leader Ujagar Singh Badali said: “The Congress is scared after the outcome of the Delhi assembly polls and now none of its candidates is ready to contest on the party symbol. They are dreading the worst defeat and have instead opted to run as independents.” hillary.victor@hindustantimes.com