BJP, Independent candidates meet former MLA Balbir Pal Shah
In a new twist at Panipat City seat, former MLA and Congress rebel Rohita Rewri — who filed nomination as an Independent candidate — and BJP candidate Pramod Vij met former five-time MLA Balbir Pal Shah.
They visited the town to seek the blessings of Balbir Pal Shah, one of the senior-most leaders of the Congress and older brother of the party candidate, Varinder Kumar Shah. Balbir Pal Shah was elected MLA from Panipat five times — 1987, 1991, 2000, 2005 and 2009. A former state president of the Congress, he has served as the Transport Minister.
On the other hand, Congress rebels Rohita Rewri and Vijay Jain joined hands to support each other in Panipat City and Panipat Rural Assembly seat. The Panipat City Assembly constituency has been in the limelight these days as it is going to witness a close triangular contest between the BJP, Congress and Independent candidates. The BJP has trusted sitting MLA Pramod Vij from the seat for the second time while the Congress has opted for Varinder Kumar Shah.
Former BJP MLA Rohita Rewri, who joined the Congress in May, was also in the race for Congress ticket till the last moment. After last moment ticket denial by the Congress, Rohita Rewri and her husband decided to contest the election independently and filed their nomination.
BJP candidate Pramod Vij met stalwart senior leader Balbir Pal Shah at his residence in Model Town here. Shah praised Vij for serving the city people with honesty for five years and also blessed him.
On the other hand, Independent candidate Rohita Rewri and her husband also reached Shah's home to seek his blessings. Rohita Rewri was blessed by Balbir Pal Shah when she was contesting elections against his younger brother Varinder Pal Shah in 2014 polls.
Political experts said Panipat is a business town and everyone knows each other well. This is election time and there are political reasons behind every moment.
If Pramod Vij and Rohita Rewri can meet the stalwart and senior-most political leader Balbir Pal Shah, then why can't his younger brother, said political experts.
