Anticipating sabotage from the local BJP unit in Amritsar, the party has rushed senior leaders, MLAs, councillors and workers from Delhi BJP unit to run Arun Jaitley's campaign.
Deputy leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley is perhaps facing the toughest electoral battle as he is pitched against former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. BJP sources say sitting party MP Navjot Singh Sidhu may sabotage Jaitley's campaign.
Leaders from Delhi will be entrusted with campaigning and poll management. Over 50 leaders from Delhi are on their way to Amritsar.
Upset with the party leadership over denial of ticket, Sidhu has not come to Amritsar ever since the announcement of Jaitley's candidature. BJP leaders fear that a special team is required not only for Jaitley's campaign but also to counter any sabotage attempt on part of Sidhu.
Sidhu, who representing Amritsar Lok Sabha seat since 2004, shares an uneasy relation with BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that has prompted his replacement with Jaitley in the city. Party feels that the absence of Sidhu from Jaitely's poll campaign may affect BJP's electoral prospect in Amritsar comprising around 64% Sikh voters. Sidhu is a prominent Sikh face of the party.
Group of leaders going to Amritsar from Delhi includes office-bearer of state unit, MLAs, municipal councillors and workers. A few of them have already reached and other are reaching there in next couple of days. Majority of Delhi BJP leader will be camping in Amritsar from April 13 to April 30, when it goes to polls.
Among the prominent names is BJP MLA and Sikh face in Delhi, RP Singh who has been assigned the responsibility to assist party candidate Jaitley. Singh had supervised party's poll affairs in Punjab during the 2007 assembly polls. "My experience of having worked in Punjab will be an advantage. Not only I am well versed with the state but also party's workers in the state and the allies Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)" said Singh, also party's co-incharge for the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
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