PNS/
 
For the ensuing byelection to Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress party has decided to go with the sympathy wave. It has on Monday approved the name of Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, the wife of party’s former MP from Jalandhar Santokh Singh Chaudhary, as its candidate for the byelections.
 
Even as the Election Commission is yet to issue notification related to the schedule for the elections, the party decided to repose its faith in the Chaudhary family. Notably, the seat fell vacant after the Congress sitting MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary died of a heart attack while taking part in Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on January 14. He was 76.
 
Karamjit’s candidature was approved by the All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge.
 
After serving as a professor in Higher Education Department for more than three decades, Karamjit retired as Director of Public Instructions (Colleges).
 
After her name was announced, Karamjit said that she was thankful to the Congress leadership for standing steadfastly with her family during the difficult time. She said that she would work hard to realize the dreams and aspirations of her late husband and propagate the ideology of the Congress party.
 
Meanwhile, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring tweeted “Best wishes to Smt Kamaljit Kaur Chaudhary ji w/o late MP Santokh Chaudhary ji on her announcement as @incindia candidate for the forthcoming Jalandhar MP By-election….We at @INCPunjab are geared up for an aggressive campaign & a definite victory!”
 
Even before announcement of her candidature, Karamjit, along with her son and Congress MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, kicked-off campaigning for the elections two weeks ago. Both mother-son duo could be witnessed striking empathy chords during meetings at different villages.
 
In 2019, Chaudhary was polled 3,85,712 votes, while SAD candidate Charanjit Singh Atwal 3,66,221 votes. The AAP candidate Justice Zora Singh (retd) was polled mere 25,467 votes, while BSP candidate Balwinder Singh got 2,04,783 votes.