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CPI-M replaces Cong on Hoshiarpur seat
The move may favour the opposition BJP, whose state unit chief is contesting from the seat. CM Amarinder Singh has voiced protest.
Punjab's ruling Congress party's move to give up the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat to its electoral ally, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), may favour the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The CPI-M has fielded Darshan Singh Mattu against Punjab BJP chief Avinash Rai Khanna.
Though Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had protested the CPI-M announcement, the Congress left out the seat for its ally while announcing the names of its candidates for other Lok Sabha seats from the state.
Considered a Congress bastion, Hoshiarpur constituency was represented by G.S. Channi in the dissolved Lok Sabha.
But the party submitted to CPI-M general secretary Harkrishen Singh Surjeet's unilateral declaration of his party's candidate.
Hoshiarpur is known as the land of Chaudharys, a class of landed gentry, and 'choes' or seasonal rivulets known for floods.
BJP candidate Khanna is the sitting legislator from nearby Garhshankar assembly seat. He was recently appointed state party chief.
He shot into prominence last year when he sat along the Hoshiarpur-Garhshankar highway to polish shoes and collect money for the repair of the pot-holed road.
The Congress has also left the Bhatinda seat for the CPI-M. Elections will be held in Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha constituencies May 10.
Meanwhile, Channi's supporters are suggesting that he contest the poll either as an independent or on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket.
He won the seat in 1999 by over 34,000 votes.
