Two MLAs fly down from foreign shores,some wiser with ‘scores’

State Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh said Khanna was indisposed due to food poisoning. “He has informed AICC coordinator for Punjab,Yogesh Sawhney,about his illness. Since the party was already comfortably placed,Khanna was advised to take care of his health,” he added. Khanna later issued a press statement saying he wanted to cast his vote but was suggested not to go (to Vidhan Sabha) against the doctor’s advice.

Meanwhile,a few MLAs whose ballots were held invalid during the last Presidential election were wiser this time.

Though before the ballot,all MLAs were handed over a one-page list of guidelines like — do not put any mark or signature on the ballot paper,there are only two candidates,no other choice and there is no election symbol,just put 1 before the candidate’s name — some had already learnt from their past mistakes.

“Last time,I had put a tick mark against the candidate’s name. The ballot was held invalid. This time,I know better,” MLA Sangat Singh said. According to poll coordinators,quite a few party legislators committed this mistake the last time.

Interestingly,at least one MLA was wiser from an different experience altogether. Bhadaur MLA Mohammad Sadique is still bitter about his singing for Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the floor of the House. And Sadique’s lesson is to keep eye contact with his leader.

“During the Budget Session,while leaving the Vidhan Sabha,the CM had told me kuch gaane,vaane suna diya karo (sometime sing for us). So,when he requested me on the floor of the House to sing,I obliged. I could not maintain eye contact with Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar who was asking me to sit down. I am pained by the entire episode,” he said.

On the other hand,for first-timers like MLA Kuljit Nagra,it was a unforgettable experience with dinners et al while women MLAs like Charanjit Bajwa and Karan Brar basked in the media limelight when asked to share their experience in electing the country’s president.

Amarinder,Jakhar and former leader of opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal — Bhattal had given Wednesday’s dinner hosted by Captain a miss — were among the first ones to cast their votes.

By 1 pm,45 MLAs,barring Arvind Khanna and an associate MLA,Rajnish Babbi,had marked their presence. The last was MLA Raj Kumar Verka,who walked in after several calls were made to trace him by Yogesh Sawhney,AICC coordinator for Presidential polls.