Dhillon, Kaka's entry alters ticket game in Congress

FARIDKOT/MOGA: With former SAD MLA and key PPP member Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon and sitting SGPC member Sukhjit Singh Kaka joining the Congress, poll arithmetic in two constituencies of Faridkot and Dharamkot in Moga has gone awry.
Though Congressmen at both the places are not speaking against the induction, but they do feel that the development has dimmed their chances of getting a party ticket.Some ticket aspirants on the condition of anonymity said both Dhillon and Kaka will be getting tickets.
The most affected aspirant could be sitting Congress MLA from Faridkot, Avtar Singh Brar, who, however, is still very hopeful of getting the ticket. Talking over phone, he said, "Kushaldeep has been taken into the party without any pre-condition."
Brar said he is the strongest candidate and with Dhillon joining the Congress, his chances of getting the ticket are not dim, as people think. A Faridkot Congress leader on the condition of anonymity said after the entry of Dhillon, it will be very tough for Brar to get the ticket and the move will give rise to vertical factionalism in the party.
Sukhjit, who recently won the SGPC election despite senior SAD leader Tota Singh opposing him vehemently, could turn out to be the only choice for Congress for party ticket from Dharamkot, said sources. Now the chances of a number of contestants for party ticket have diminished, said a senior party leader.