Sensing anti-incumbency against its sitting Malerkotla legislator F Nesara Khatoon, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has decided to drop her and field multi-millionaire Mohammed Owais from the Muslim-dominated constituency in 2017 assembly elections.
Owais is a sport shoe manufacturer and leather exporter, who runs Al Kauser Football Academy, which has produced many statelevel and professional football players from Malerkotla during the past one decade.
“Yes, I got a call from deputy chief minister and party president Sukhbir Badal in this regard. Though I said I am new to politics, he asserted that he will ensure that everyone supports me. I was not even aware that I was being considered,” said Owais, who has been a SAD supporter for the past 20 years.
Sources said the surprise decision to drop Khatoon, wife of former director general of police (DGP) Izhar Alam, has been taken by Sukhbir taking in view the ground situation in the constituency.
Though Khatoon issued a statement, through her husband Izhar Alam, that they will ‘toe the line’ of the party, but they could not conceal their heartburn. “During the past seven years, my wife and I worked hard and ensured development of Malerkotla. However, we didn’t learn the art of politics and telling lies, which cost us dearly,” said the statement. Alam said they will abide by the decision of the party and support its candidate.
{{/usCountry}}Though Khatoon issued a statement, through her husband Izhar Alam, that they will ‘toe the line’ of the party, but they could not conceal their heartburn. “During the past seven years, my wife and I worked hard and ensured development of Malerkotla. However, we didn’t learn the art of politics and telling lies, which cost us dearly,” said the statement. Alam said they will abide by the decision of the party and support its candidate.
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