Congress may field Jakhar from Ferozepur

Cong may field Jakhar from Ferozepur 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 22
After its surprise move to field Capt Amarinder Singh from Amritsar and Ambika Soni from Anandpur Sahib, the Congress is now considering to field its legislative party leader Sunil Jakhar from Ferozepur. Though Jakhar has not sought the ticket, there is a possibility of his contesting from Ferozepur, a constituency that his father, former Governor of Madhya Pradesh Balram Jakhar, had won in 1980. 

A senior Congress leader told The Tribune that Jakhar’s name was discussed in the Congress Working Committee meeting held recently.

“Jakhar is a non-controversial and well-educated politician. There will be no opposition to his nomination,” says the leader, who is also a strong aspirant for party ticket from Ferozepur. “The Congress had earlier decided not to field any sitting MLA in the parliamentary poll, but with Amarinder getting the ticket, the party may make another exception.”

Talking to The Tribune on the phone from Delhi, Jakhar said: “If the party decides to field me from Ferozepur, I will abide by the decision."

Jakhar, who won three consecutive assembly elections from Abohar, said he was getting phone calls from party leaders and workers asking about his candidature with some even congratulating him. On the other hand, former Muktsar MLA, Bhai Harnirpal 'Kuku', who had joined the Congress by leaving the SAD in 2012, has started his election campaign hoping to get ticket for Ferozepur.

Sitting MLA from Guruharsahai Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Gidderbaha MLA Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former CWC member Jagmeet Singh Brar and former minister Hans Raj Josan are among ticket seekers. The SAD has fielded its sitting MP Sher Singh Ghubaya from Ferozepur.