Sukhbir Badal meeting Rajinder Gupta in a Business meet
Chandigarh, August 21, 2016:
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, created ripples in the Punjab politics especially among leaders of SAD and BJP by naming ( in a Lighter Vein ) Rajinder Gupta, chairman of Trident Group, as a SAD candidate from Barnala for the ensuing assembly elections. Badal made the casual comment in a lighter vein while meeting the selected political leaders and media persons during his recent visit to Barnala.
Gupta who was present in the meeting, however, countered Badals statement saying that he had no such plans. On this Badal said, “Then I will have to contest from here.”
Gupta, however, was not available for comments.
It is a known fact that Rajinder Gupta is very close to Badals and was appointed as a General Secretary of the SAD in November 2014. He has been accompanying Sukhbir Badal during his ‘Sangat Darshan’ programs in Barnala . A renowned industrialist, Gupta has business establishments in Barnala so he is well aware of the area problems. He also remained politically and socially active in the area during SAD-BJP rule .
It may be recalled that the SAD has not even appointed in Halqa Incharge for Barnala as yet.
Highly placed sources revealed that Sukhbir is interested in fielding Rajinder Gupta as a part candidate from Barnala in the Assembly Elections but Gupta is very reluctant for the same.
In 2014 ,Sukhbir Badal had also offered him to contest Lok Sabha elections but Rajinder Gupta expressed his inability.
Presently prominent businessman and senior Congress leader Kewal Dhillon is a sitting MLA from Barnala and has a strong hold in the area.