Congress denied ticket under pressure: Channi's brother Dr Manohar Singh

Fatehgarh Sahib, January 16

Day after being denied a Congress ticket, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s younger brother Dr Manohar Singh today decided to contest as an Independent candidate from the Bassi Pathana constituency. The ticket has been allotted to sitting MLA Gurpreet Singh GP.

Addressing supporters at Bassi Pathana, Dr Manohar Singh said he had decided to contest as an Independence due to “immense pressure” by public as the party gave the ticket to a “failed MLA”. He said he was not revolting, but only following “people’s wish”.

Sidhu, MLAs ganged up

Pressure from PCC chief Navjot Sidhu, minister Gurkirat Kotli and MLAs Kuljit Nagra and Balbir Sidhu turned the tide in favour of Gurpreet Singh GP. —Dr Manohar Singh, CM’s brother

In the past, Channi too had taken the political plunge and won as an Independent candidate from the Chamkaur Sahib constituency, before joining the Congress.

Lashing out at the MLA, Dr Manohar Singh alleged no development projects had been undertaken during his tenure in the backward constituency. He claimed the state Congress denied him the ticket due to “political pressure and compulsions” in spite of the fact that internal surveys were against the sitting MLA.

“Pressure from PCC chief Navjot Sidhu, minister Gurkirat Kotli and MLAs Kuljit Nagra and Balbir Sidhu turned the tide in favour of Gurpreet Singh GP,” he claimed. On whether the CM had asked him to step aside in favour of the party candidate, Dr Manohar Singh said he “won’t succumb to any family pressure”. — OC