Punjab polls: Congress yet to reach a consensus on two-dozen seats

New Delhi : Due to the differences between Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, the party is yet to arrive on a consensus on two-dozen seats in the poll-bound state, and interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi has now formed a subgroup to address the issue of ticket distribution for those seats.The subgroup comprising Ambika Soni, K.C. Venugopal, Ajay Maken and state in-charge Harish Chaudhary will place its recommendations before Sonia Gandhi by Tuesday, informed sources said.In Punjab, Channi and Sidhu are at loggerheads over candidate selection with each wanting to give tickets to their respective supporters, sources said.

As per the first list of candidates released by the Congress, Sidhu will contest from Amritsar East while Channi will seek nomination from Chamkaur Sahib.Former state Congress chief, Partap Singh Bajwa, will contest from Qadiyan.The Congress’ first list has covered most prominent names in the party. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will contest from Dera Baba Nanak, while Vijay Inder Singla has been fielded from Sangrur.Sister of actor Sonu Sood, Malvika Sood, who recently joined the Congress, will contest from Moga.Raj Kumar Verka will contest from Amritsar West, Kuljeet Nagra from Fatehgarh Sahib, while Manpreet Singh Badal has been fielded from Bhatinda Urban.