MAJITHA, Jan 28 — Striking a defiant note, Mr Simmerjit Singh Majitha, son of late Parkash Singh Majitha, has threatened to contest the ensuing byelection as a rebel candidate if the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal denies him the party ticket.

Talking to TNS immediately after the “bhog” ceremony of his father here today, Mr Simmerjit Singh claimed that Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, and Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), were in touch with him.

He claimed that a ‘large number of his supporters’ had asked him to the contest the election as the Majitha family had a right on the party ticket.”

Disappointed at the ‘guarded speech’ of Mr Parkash Singh Badal at the “bhog” ceremony of his father Mr Simmerjit Singh said either he or his mother, Mrs Harjit Kaur, should be given the party ticket. He said in case Mr Badal failed to honour the sentiments of supporters of the Majitha family, he would be lift with no option but to contest the election as a rebel candidate. “Come what may, I shall file my papers on January 30”, he said.

It may be mentioned here that while addressing a conjugation at the “bhog” ceremony here, Mr Badal alleged that the byelection had been ‘imposed’ on the Shiromani Akali Dal. He said neither he nor his party was prepared for the byelection, especially when the “bhog” of Sardar Majitha was yet to be held.