Rahul Gandhi offers Bathinda seat to Sidhu's wife, he denies
Punjab Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has denied Congress President Rahul Gandhi's offer to field his wife Navjot Kaur from Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, HT reports. Sidhu said he won't be able to do justice to his wife's campaign while traveling across the country at the same time. Meanwhile, Congress and Akali Dal are yet to announce candidates for Bathinda and Ferozepur.
In Wayanad, Sidhu said he declined the offer
While campaigning for Rahul in Wayanad of Kerala, on Thursday, Sidhu said he was honored with the offer. "But I told the party that I will not be able to canvass in Bathinda for my wife while crisscrossing the country for the party's campaign," he said. He stressed that it won't be fair to either her or the party.
Apparently, Kaur wanted a ticket from Chandigarh
Reportedly, Kaur wanted a ticket from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat but Congress fielded seasoned leader Pawan Kumar Bansal from there. Bathinda seat is currently held by Union minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir's wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Naturally, the seat would be closely watched.
Meanwhile, Punjab Congress chief said Badals are desperate
Speaking on the uncertainty surrounding Ferozepur and Bathinda seats, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said Badals are desperate to win atleast one seat. "We were waiting for them to reveal their candidates to know who to field against the Badals. Maybe Harsimrat or Sukhbir might not contest at all. There are reports that former CM Parkash Singh Badal may fight from Bathinda," he said.
Candidate who lost to Harsimrat could be fielded from Bathinda
The report added that Congress might field Manpreet Singh Badal from Bathinda. In the last general elections, Manpreet fought against Harsimrat but lost. This time he wasn't keen to contest from the same seat but it is learned that he softened his stand recently. Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring is also in the fray for Bathinda seat. Punjab will vote on May 19.
