Kin join candidates in poll campaign

Candidates for the Kalka and Panchkula Assembly segments are being joined by their family members in campaigning. While the BJP’s Kalka candidate Shakti Rani Sharma’s son Kartikeya Sharma, who is also a Member of Parliament, has been canvassing with her since the announcement of her candidature, Congress’ Panchkula candidate Chander Mohan’s son and daughter have taken to holding separate meetings with residents in different wards and villages to garner support. Sitting Panchkula MLA Gian Chand Gupta was also joined by his daughter in his poll campaign on Thursday.

Shakti Rani Sharma’s husband and former union minister, Venod Sharka, and her son Kartikeya have been going around campaigning for her in the constituency. The two joined her on a roadshow on the day of the filing of her nomination papers on September 11. Kartikeya, addressing gatherings alongside Shakti Rani Sharma, has assured his presence to the people in Kalka if Shakti is elected from the constituency.

Congress Panchkula candidate Chander Mohan’s son and daughter have also joined him. Chaudhary was joined by his son Sidharth Bishnoi, his daughter-in-law, and his grandson during his visit to the district administrative complex to file his nomination papers on September 12. Since then, Sidharth and his daughter Shatakshi have been holding campaigns and meeting people to gather support for him. Sidharth was seen with Congress leader and party ticket aspirant Manish Bansal during the party’s campaigns as well.

Meanwhile, BJP Panchkula candidate Gian Chand Gupta’s daughter Ruchi joined his campaign. Leading a women’s group during a campaign on Thursday at Sector 9, she said the region could progress only under the BJP’s rule. She attacked the Congress party and said it only meant corruption. She said, “Congress wants to come to power for corruption and to promote nepotism. But the BJP’s aim of coming to power is public service.”