Congress won't go back on 'one family, one ticket' norm: Punjab affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary

Chandigarh, January 21

With at least three ministers keen on launching the political career of their sons in the upcoming Assembly elections, the Congress high command has reiterated its stand on the ‘one family, one ticket’ norm.

While senior leader and minister Brahm Mohindra has given up his claim on the Patiala (Rural) seat to make way for son and youth Congress leader Mohit Mohindra, minister Tript Bajwa and Rana Gurjeet Singh have been pushing for party ticket for their sons Ravi Nandan Singh and Rana Inder Partap Singh, respectively. Punjab affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary has categorically stated the party will stick to the ‘one family, one ticket’ rule.

Tript, who is the party candidate from Fatehgarh Churian, has staked his family’s claim to the ticket from Batala, a largely urban segment in Gurdaspur district, from where the Congress is yet to field a candidate.

“The Congress rank and file wants me or my son to contest elections from Batala. I would like to request the high command to have a rethink. The decision should be taken according to the ground reality,” Tript has said.

On the other hand, party’s Kapurthala candidate Rana Gurjeet Singh has started campaigning for his son from the adjoining Sultanpur Lodhi seat. Rana’s son has decided to contest as an Independent candidate against party candidate Navtej Cheema. Rana Gurjeet has openly challenged Cheema.

A senior party leader said the party would prevail upon the ministers to abide the party rule. Sources said the party was in talks with the leaders.

Interestingly, the party is contemplating fielding veteran leader Lal Singh from the Patiala Urban seat. If that happens, the party will have to forgo its “one family, one ticket” rule as his son Rajinder has been given the ticket from Samana.

3 ministers keen on launching sons

• While minister Brahm Mohindra has given up claim to Patiala (Rural) for son, Tript Bajwa and Rana Gurjeet Singh have been pushing for ticket for their sons
• A senior party leader says the party will prevail upon the ministers to abide the rule. The party is in talks with the leaders