Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, October 3
After his return to Kapurthala on Saturday was delayed due to farmers’ protest, Cabinet minister Rana Gurjeet Singh today arrived in the town amidst much fanfare. However, none of the Congress MLAs from his neighbourhood (who had raised objections to his Cabinet appointment) was present to welcome him.
Of the six Doaba MLAs who had raised objections, three were from Rana’s neighbouring constituencies in Kapurthala district. They included Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, Bholath legislator Sukhpal Khaira and Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal. Their absence yet again exposed fault lines within the Congress in Doaba.
Interestingly, while Jalandhar Cantt MLA and Cabinet minister Pargat Singh’s return to Jalandhar was also attended poorly by MLAs, his welcome saw the presence of at least two legislators — Rajinder Beri and Bawa Henry.
Upon his return to Kapurthala, Rana Gurjeet was welcomed by traders at the Katra Bazaar. A guard of honour was presented to him by a police contingent at the Rest House, where Kapurthala DC Deepti Uppal and SSP Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh received him.
Also present were Kapurthala mayor Kulwant Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner SP Angra, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Aditya Uppal among others. As many as 37 councillors of the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation were also present.
In Kapurthala, local MLAs skip Rana Gurjeet Singh’s welcome event
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