Gidderbaha bypoll: Sukhbir holds 14 meetings

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha/Muktsar, August 17

Terming the situation akin to 1995 poll, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal today formally started the Gidderbaha bypoll campaign by holding 14 meetings in two villages here. The seat has fallen vacant after local MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring got elected as MP.

Though the SAD has not yet formally announced Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon as its candidate from here, yet Sukhbir appealed to the voters to support him.

Sukhbir visited Khirkianwala and Kaoni villages. Kaoni is the native village of Congress’ likely candidate Narinder Singh Kaoni, who is chairman of the Muktsar Zila Parishad and close aide of Raja Warring. There are talks in political circles that if Warring’s wife Amrita opts not to contest this bypoll, Narinder will be the best bet.

“After winning the Gidderbaha bypoll in 1995, the SAD formed government in 1997 and this time also, it will start from here,” said Sukhbir. In the meetings, he listened to all attendees, who shared their old experiences and problems. He also condemned the sacrilege incidents, which recently occurred at Khanna and Kapurthala. He said the state government had failed to maintain law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also toured this constituency for the second consecutive day on Saturday and held meetings with his party workers.

The Congress also held a meeting of its party workers in Muktsar town. Former MP Jasbir Singh Dimpa was made in-charge for the bypoll. A Congress leader said Capt Sandeep Sandhu would also remain here for the election campaign.