Chandigarh
As SAD chief Sukhbir Badal is expected to contest from Ferozepur, senior Congress leaders today batted for putting up a heavyweight from the seat, traditionally an Akali bastion.

With the candidature of Akali-turned-Congressman Sher Singh Ghubaya nearly ruled out in the wake of the changed political scenario, consensus is emerging in the party to field a political heavyweight.

Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday said Ferozepur was Sunil Jakhar’s home turf and Gurdaspur his. “The elections are crucial for the Congress. Therefore, party heavyweights must prove their mettle,” he said.

While Ferozepur MLA Parminder Pinki supports the candidature of Jakhar from Ferozepur, former PPCC chief Shamsher Sigh Dullo said a local heavyweight should be preferred.

Jakhar, however, has been consistently saying that he wants to contest from Gurdsapur. Talking in context of the 2014 parliamentary elections when he had lost the Ferozepur seat to then SAD candidate Ghubaya, Jakhar said, “I do not hold pride unlike Sukhbir Badal, who is holding to his position despite a poor performance in the 2017 Assembly polls. I have won with a record margin in the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection.”

Basing the logic on the vote share of Hindus, Jat Sikhs and SC and Rai Sikhs, leaders like Anish Sidana, Mohinder Rinwa, Hans Raj Josan are seeking a Hindu face, while opposing the candidature of Ghubaya. Sidana, who has also staked claim to the seat, said he was ready to take on Sukhbir Badal. Cabinet minister Rana Gurmeet Sodhi, who is also aspiring for the Ferozepur seat, is also opposing the re-nomination of Ghubaya.