Will 25 Cong rebels spoil its game?

Despite efforts by Congress  leadership to avoid a repeat of the 2012 elections in Punjab when the rebels played spoilsport, there are reports of nearly 25 unsuccessful ticket seekers filing their nomination papers.

PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh is scheduled to hold another set of meetings with the rebels to mollify them over the next two days, it is learnt.

In Pathankot district, three rebels — Ashok Sharma, Naresh Puri and Rumal Chand — have filed papers as Independent candidates from the Pathankot, Sujanpur and Bhoa segments. In the 2012 poll, Naresh Puri managed to garner nearly 27,000 votes by contesting as an Independent. In Pathankot, Ashok Sharma, who had contested as an Independent in 2012, too polled more than 20,000 votes.

From Ludhiana East, Sanjay Talwar, the official candidate, faces a challenge from Gurmail Singh Pehalwan, a supporter of Congress leader Manish Tewari.

Former MLA Gurbinder Atwal, who was earlier the candidate from Bholath, after showing his unwillingness to contest from there, has filed his nomination from Nakodar.

Namisha Mehta, a ticket-seeker from Garhshankar — whose candidature had been strongly supported by CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi — has filed her papers as an Independent from the seat. Party candidate Luv Kumar Goldy has the support of Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari. From Banga, former MLA Tarlochan Soondh has already filed papers.

In Fazilka, Mohinder Kumar Rinwa and Kaushal Kumar Bouk, who also hails from the Rai Sikh community, have filed their nominations. The Congress has given a ticket to Davinder Ghubaya, son of SAD MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, who belongs to the Rai Sikh community.

Besides, Gurpreet Kaur, daughter-in-law of former MLA Sher Singh Gagowal from Mansa, and Rajinder Deepa from Suman, are among other prominent candidates who have filed their nominations.

Amarjit Singh Gharu, president (SC cell), Ferozepur, has also filed nomination papers from Ferozepur Rural seat.