The last date for filing nominations is June 6 and the election is scheduled for June 23. AAP was preparing to win the seat, which was vacated by CM Bhagwant Mann by a record margin and conveyed its popularity. Three months back, the party had registered a massive victory in the assembly elections, winning 92 out of 117 seats.
While Sangrur SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu is pushing the party for the ticket from Sangrur, other leaders including Sunam MLA Aman Arora and Punjabi actor Karamjit Anmol are also in contention.
He said, “Some sections believe that we should field Aman Arora, who is a Hindu, while some believe that actor and Maan’s colleague Karamjit Anmol should also be fielded. We are giving suggestions to party seniors. Let’s see what they do. Since the SAD and SAD (Amritsar) candidates will be Sikhs, it is better to field a Hindu.
There is now a feeling among many party leaders that the killing of Musewala, especially after his security was cut, may cast a shadow over the consequences.
“It is not about winning elections for us. It’s like a cakewalk for us. But it’s about having a good margin. We are working in that direction. However there are concerns that the mandate may not be effected. It is just that we were hoping to get 5 lakh votes,” said a party MLA, adding, “No one can say anything. Ahead of the assembly elections, all political experts said that the death of activist Deep Sidhu would affect the results but nothing happened.
Sources said contesting the Lok Sabha bypolls was not a good bet for Aman Arora, who was the sitting MLA. Mann ignored him when he inducted ministers into his cabinet. Now, there are eight vacancies in the cabinet. “He is clearly optimistic. Also he is a senior MLA. Let’s see. If the party gives instructions to anyone, he will have to contest. The name will be decided in two-three days.”