Allegations of illegal mining, "sting video", yet the candidate for Congress
Even amid allegations of illegal mining levelled against Hardev Singh Laddi, Congress declared him as its candidate for the assembly by-poll for Shahkot constituency scheduled for May 28 on Thursday. A “sting video” had also surfaced reportedly showing a deal related to mining contractors of Shahkot being settled by Congress leader Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia. Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a rally, 'Laddi is involved in sand mafia, and the money goes to the high command of Punjab Congress.' Calling him the Sand maifa king, Sukhbir Singh Badal raised questions and said, 'Did Laddi offer money for the ticket to Congress? Why would Congress offer ticket to Laddi who has been allegedly involved in illegal sand mining?' Laddi, 50, a general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), had lost the poll last year to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Ajit Singh Kohar, whose death necessitated the bypoll. Laddi is known to be a close aide of former minister Rana Gurjit Singh, who quit the cabinet in January after his name cropped up in an alleged scam in the allotment of sand mines. The bye-election to the Shahkot assembly constituency seat was necessitated following SAD MLA Kohar’s demise. In 2017, Sherowalia lost to Kohar by 4500 votes, and this time, he is facing challenge by Kohar’s son — Naib Singh Kohar — whose candidature was already declared by the SAD. -PTC News
