The Congress today put up a strong and united show ahead of the party candidate from Ludhiana West Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s filing of his nomination papers. A galaxy of leaders including general secretary in charge Punjab Bhupesh Baghel, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the PCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma, Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, Rana Gurjit, Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, MLA Rana Gurjit, MLA Pragat Singh, MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria and others joining the party programme ahead of the filing of the nomination papers.
Speaking on the occasion, Baghel expressed confidence that given the overwhelming response of thousands of party workers, the writing was on the wall that the Congress will win this seat with a record margin.
Addressing the gathering, PCC president Warring congratulated Ashu and expressed confidence that he will win the seat and mark the new beginning for the party in the state. Warring appealed to the rank and file of the party to work wholeheartedly like they were fighting their personal election.
“Each one of you is going to be the MLA”, he exhorted them, adding, “it will be the victory of each and every party worker”. Speaking on the occasion, Ashu expressed his gratitude to the party leadership, both the central and the state for reposing faith in him and supporting him.
Taking a dig at opposition parties, he remarked, “our president is standing with us, now let the AAP and the BJP tell us, where are their state presidents?” The presence of the entire senior leadership ahead of the filing of the nomination papers has boosted the rank and file of the party, who are feeling confident of winning back this seat, the party lost in 2022.
Ms Mamta Ashu filed papers as a covering candidate for Ashu. Among those present on the occasion included MLA Rana Indra Pratap Singh, MLA Aruna Chaudhary, Former Ministers Vijay Indra Singla, Sham Sunder Arora, Malkeet Singh Dakha, Former MLA Raj Kumar Verka, Rakesh Pandey, Surinder Dawer, Balwinder Singh Bains, Simarjit Singh Bains, Lakhbir Singh Lakha, Kuldeep Vaid, Rajindra Berry, Former Youth Congress President Raminder Singh Awla, Ishwarjot Cheemba and others.