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Ghubaya in Cong, SAD may field Badal family member from Ferozepur

Bathinda: The likelihood of the Congress fielding former SAD leader Sher Singh Ghubaya from Ferozepur constituency has left leaders in his new party worried and those in his previous party revise their strategy for the May 19 parliamentary election.

It has also triggered talk of SAD fielding Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the constituency.

Harsimrat, at present, represents Bathinda.

Pary chief Sukhbir Badal, according to a source in SAD, too is weighing options to contest from Ferozepur. The party has also asked former minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon to get ready if no one from the Badal family contested from Ferozepur. In casae Harsimrat is made to shift to Ferozepur, SAD is exploring the possibility of fielding former minister Sikandar Singh Maluka from Bathinda.

Caste plays a significant role in Ferozepur, where Rai Sikh and Kamboj communities are in sizeable numbers. Punjab sports minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi is trying efforts to get the Congress ticket for himself or close relative and former MLA Harnirpal Singh Kuku or his son Bhai Rahul Singh. Former MLAs Hans Raj Josan and Mohinder Kumar Rinwa too are making efforts to get the ticket and could oppose Ghubaya’s candidature.

A section from the Rai Sikh community, to which Ghubaya belongs, too have opposed the outgoing MP’s candidature. Rai Sikhs are still in favour of Ghubaya, despite his changing the party.

A Rai Sikh leader of the Congress said they would oppose Ghubaya’s candidature. The members of Kamboj community, too, are demanding the ticket.

Sukhbir's assembly segment, Jalalabad, falls in Ferozepur parliamentary constituency. It is learnt SAD is banking upon Jalalabad, Muktsar, Fazilkia and Abohar assembly segments, which fall under Ferozepur parliamentary constituency, for a win. SAD won from Jalalabad and Muktsar seats in the 2017 assembly elections, while alliance partner BJP has a strong presence in Abohar and Fazilka. Sekhon said though he was not in contention for the SAD ticket from Ferozepur, the probability of Harsimrat shifting to Ferozepur could not be ruled out. Maluka, when contacted, said the party was still deciding on candidatures. “Many things are doing the rounds,” he said.

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