Cong likely to announce candidates today

Though AAP has declared its candidates for Gidderbaha, Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak and Chabbewal bypoll, the Congress’ list of nominees, which got delayed is now expected by Monday evening.

The last day for filing nomination papers is October 25 for the bypoll scheduled on November 13.

Sources said the party has identified winnable candidates for Gidderbaha, Barnala and Dera Baba Nanak, but selection of right candidate for the Chabbewal segment was taking time.

After former Deputy Leader of Opposition Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal joined AAP in March, the Congress has failed to develop local leadership in this segment.

For the last two days, Alok Sharma, co-in charge, Punjab Affairs, has been camping in Chandigarh to deliberate upon the choice of the candidates. Senior party leaders privy to discussions said the party had zeroed in on Yamini Gautam, who unsuccessfully contested poll from the Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency, Kulwinder Rasoolpur, halqa incharge, Chabbewal, and Bhagwan Singh Chauhan, who has shifted from the BSP to the Congress.

“With AAP fielding Dr Raj Kumar’s son Ishank from Chabbewal, the party is keeping a close watch on AAP leader Harminder Sandhu, who had contested the 2002 Assembly poll from this segment. If he joins the Congress, he can also be given the ticket,” said a senior leader.

For Gidderbaha, Amrita Warring, wife of PCC chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Raja Warring is likely to be the choice. In Dera Baba Nanak, Jatinder Kaur, wife of MP Sukhjinder Randhawa is the front-runner.

In Barnala, the party leaders are pushing for candidature of former Sangrur MLA Vijay Inder Singla.