BJP star cast in Amritsar, Gurdaspur

BJP weighs options between naming 'celebrity' or a 'local' to win bordering constituencies in Punjab

- HARPREET BAJWA

WITH people upset about celebrities ignoring their Lok Sabha constituencies of Gurdaspur and Amritsar in the past, the BJP is weighing options on whether to field a celebrity again or a local in these seats of Punjab in the upcoming general elections, party leaders said.

The name of former US Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu as a possible candidate for Amritsar is doing the rounds. Though Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar is a likely contender for Gurdaspur, the buzz is that the party is also considering fielding former Team India cricketer Yuvraj Singh or actor Kangana Ranaut.

Many BJP leaders and workers said 'outsiders' elected from Amritsar and Gurdaspur hardly nurture their constituencies and appear only during polls.

"Such acts of these leaders erode the party's support base. The ground-level leaders have to feel the heat as the people ask raise questions regarding their credibility. A hunt is on for a home-bred politician who is well-versed with local issues of the area," said a local BJP leader, wishing not to be named.