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Priyanka to address rally in Chandigarh; Bansal likely to share stage with Tewari
Four-time MP from Chandigarh Pawan Kumar Bansal, who has been absent from Tewari campaign since his candidature was announced on April 13, is expected to attend the rally in Chandigarh
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be in Chandigarh on Sunday to campaign in support of party candidate Manish Tewari.
She will be addressing a public rally at Ram Lila ground in Sector 27 around 2 pm.
Four-time MP from Chandigarh Pawan Kumar Bansal, who has been absent from Tewari campaign since his candidature was announced on April 13, is expected to attend the rally. If this happens, this will be the first time during these elections that Bansal and Tewari will share common stage.
While Bansal had been campaigning for party candidates in Mohali and Panchkula over the past few days, he kept away from participating in any party activity in Chandigarh, where Tewari has been holding foot marches, public meetings, rallies and door-to-door visits.
AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday had paid a visit to Bansal in an attempt to mollify him. Last month, AICC Chandigarh in-charge Rajeev Shukla had also requested Bansal to join Tewari’s campaign. Tewari himself has visited Bansal’s residence twice to seek his blessings.
But visibly peeved by being denied a ticket this time (after successive losses in 2014 and 2019), he said he was stepping back as he had been asked to step back.
Since the announcement of Tewari’s candidature, several office-bearers had left the party in support of Bansal. Moreover, over 100 party leaders and workers had submitted resignations, demanding removal of local party president HS Lucky for liking an Instagram post that mocked Bansal for losing the ticket, an allegation he has vehemently denied.
But on May 2, several disgruntled leaders from Bansal’s camp, majority of whom have strong grassroots connection, joined Tewari’s campaign after he pacified them while assuring full respect in the party.
On Saturday, a meeting of party activists was held at the Congress Bhawan under Lucky’s leadership to chalk out the programme for the Sunday rally and mobilise support from city residents.
Rajiv Sharma, spokesperson of the party, stated a large stage was being erected at the venue and there will be a separate enclosure for the media. Vivek Bansal, secretary, AICC, and party observer for Chandigarh seat, held a meeting with Chandigarh Police officers, fire brigade and other officers of the UT administration as part of preparations for the rally.
