Congress meet tomorrow, Punjab CM Channi may contest from 2 seats

New Delhi/Chandigarh, Jan 11

As the Congress’ central election committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday to clear the first list of candidates, the party high command is contemplating to field CM Charanjit Channi from two segments, including his home constituency Chamkaur Sahib.

The party leadership wants to cash in on the Dalit vote bank in Doaba and Malwa after Channi became the first Dalit Sikh CM. Sources said the party was contemplating to field Channi either from Mehal Kalan (Malwa), currently represented by AAP, or Adampur (Doaba), currently represented by SAD. Both the seats influence the adjoining reserved Assembly segments. Malwa has 19 reserved seats, Doaba eight and Majha seven.

Sources said the party might release the first list on Thursday after a virtual meeting to be chaired by Sonia. There is consensus on nearly 70 candidates, said a source, adding that a call would have to be taken on how many sitting MLAs were to be dropped to offset anti-incumbency trends. The party has shortlisted candidates with “one family-one ticket rule” in mind.

Meanwhile, the party’s campaign committee chairman Sunil Jakhar held a virtual meeting today to plan future strategy amid restriction on rallies. — TNS

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