Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, October 26
The cold war between the Congress leaders from the four Assembly constituencies of Kapurthala has come out in the open ever since MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh got re-inducted as minister last month.
MLAs Navtej Cheema (Sultanpur Lodhi) and BS Dhaliwal (Phagwara) and Bholath former MLA Sukhpal Khaira have become quite vocal against Rana Gurjeet’s alleged direct interference in their constituencies. They have alleged the minister’s aide Gora Gill has his backing in Bholath, his son Inder Partap Singh Rana has started activities in Sultanpur Lodhi. In Phagwara, too, Rana Gurjeet has been reportedly ignoring MLA Dhaliwal and engaging with ex-minister Joginder Mann.
Khaira in a public event yesterday lashed out at the minister. He said: “Rana Gurjeet Singh should confine himself to his constituency. As a minister, he does not get the right to create frictions within the party in other constituencies. It is wrong on his part to promote his family member from Sultanpur Lodhi.
“A perception is being created that his son could contest from the seat. Navtej Cheema is the sitting MLA and won two consecutive terms. Rana Gurjeet is interfering in Phagwara too.”
Khaira also talked about Rana’s alleged interference in his seat. “Rana Gurjeet’s interference is not new in Bholath. He has been doing it since 2002. He has an understanding with my Akali opponent Jagir Kaur, ” he alleged.
Cheema, too, targeted the minister on the sidelines of a function at Jainpur village. “The ministers are indulging anti-party activities. They should bind the party, not weaken it. Instead of commenting on the winnability of party candidates on other seats, the ministers should instead focus on their standing in their own constituencies.”
“Rana Gurjeet should worry about his falling popularity. His son has said he is keen to contest from Sultanpur Lodhi and has the full support of his father. Rest, it is up to the party to take a final call,” he said.
Focus on your own seat
Rana Gurjeet Singh should confine himself to his constituency. He does not have the right to create friction within the party. Sukhpal Khaira, Bholath ex-MLA
Worry about popularity
The minister won with a margin of 28,000 in 2017. In the 2019 LS polls, it was down to 6,000. He should worry about his popularity. Navtej Cheema, Sultanpur Lodhi MLA
Rana Gurjeet refutes meddling charge
Cabinet Minister Rana Gurjeet Singh denied interfering in other constituencies or conspiring with rivals. “I respect Jagir Kaur and I touch the feet of Upinderjit Kaur, wherever I meet her. That does not mean I am a SAD supporter,” he said. Regarding his son’s keenness to contest from Sultanpur Lodhi, he said, “It will be the party’s decision.”
Kapurthala Cong leaders complain of minister’s ‘interference’
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