Punjab Assembly Election 2022: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's brother Dr. Manohar Singh is set to contest as an independent candidate from the Bassi Pathana seat.
He filed his nomination as an independent candidate on Friday.
Manohar Singh was seeking a Congress ticket from Bassi Pathana. However, in the first list of candidates, Congress nominated party MLA Gurpreet Singh GP from the assembly seat.
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After filing of nomination, Dr. Manohar Singh said: "I'll contest independently from Bassi Pathana. I made sure there's no mention of my brother's name in my posters, but some people have made banners using my brother's name along with mine, no differences between me and my brother", news agency ANI reported.
Manohar Singh On Deciding To Contest As Independent Candidate
Earlier, Manohar Singh had termed the Congress party's decision to give ticket to Gurpreet Singh GP as an injustice to the people of the constituency. He had said that many prominent people in Bassi Pathana had advised him to contest as an independent candidate.
"Several prominent people of Bassi Pathana area have asked me to fight as an independent and I will go by what they have said. There is no chance of going back and I will surely fight the polls," Manohar Singh had told news agency PTI earlier.
Manohar Singh had resigned as Senior Medical Officer from Civil Hospital, Kharar in August last year. Singh has done MBBS and MD. He also holds a master's degree in journalism and has studied law.
Manohar Singh had said that he decided to contest as an independent after meeting many councillors, village sarpanch, and panch.
"People told me it was wrong to give the ticket to him (Gurpreet Singh GP). He had earlier not done anything and now he has again been foisted upon," said Manohar Singh.
Reportedly, the Punjab Chief Minister's brother was denied ticket as Congress decided to adopt the formula of 'One Family One Ticket'.
The single-phase Assembly election in Punjab will be held on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.