PCA president’s son AAP’s surprise pick

The Punjab Cricket Association’s president and businessman Amarjit Mehta’s son, Padamjit Mehta, has been fielded by AAP from ward number 48 for the Bathinda civic body bypoll.

The move has surprised everyone as Padamjit was nowhere in the race. In fact, SAD circle president Harvinder Singh Binder, who was welcomed into party fold by AAP Bathinda Urban MLA Jagroop Singh Gill, was the frontrunner.

In morning, Harvinder reached the SDM office to file his nomination papers from ward number 48, however, he came to know that Padamjit had already filed his papers.

Showing resentment, Harvinder filed his papers as an Independent. Though several AAP leaders accompanied Padamjit, MLA Gill was nowhere to be seen.

Amarjit said, “Whenever our family has to start any new work, we do it from the grassroots. Thus, we sought ticket for Padamjit from ward number 48.”

MLA Gill said, “Harvinder was the official party candidate from here. Today morning, I came to know that Padamjit has filed his papers. Once, Amarjit had a word with me about fielding his son. I told him that his status was quite higher than the MC poll.”

The ward number 48 fell vacant after six-time councilllor Gill got elected as an MLA from Bathinda Urban segment in the 2022 Assembly poll.