Dasuya bypoll: Two BJP ex-ministers in race for ticket

The two former ministers,who are vying for the ticket are reportedly from Hoshiarpur. According to sources,though Avinash Rai Khanna wanted the ticket to go to a family member of Sahi — a two-time MLA who was also appointed the chief parliamentary secretary recently — the group in Hoshiarpur lobbied for a former minister based in the area.

Sahi’s son Dr Harsimrat Singh aka Sunny,also offered his services to the people of the constituency by expressing his willingness to serve the people like his father,in case the opportunity was given to him.

Replying to a query after the bhog ceremony,the chief minister said that the candidate for the Dasuya Assembly segment will be decided by the state BJP leadership. Badal further said that though he wanted a memorial to be raised in Sahi’s memory,but election code does not permit him do so. “Now,it is up to you (people) to raise one,” he added.

During the last polls,the BJP could manage to win one out of three seats in Hoshiarpur district. Sahi was the only BJP candidate who could register a victory by defeating Congress’ Ramesh Chander Dogra. BJP’s two sitting ministers,Arunesh Shakir (Mukerian) and Tikshan Sud (Hoshiarpur),lost to Congress rebel Rajnish Babbi and party candidate Sunder Sham Arora,respectively.