Deprived of ticket, SAD MLA Chetan Singh Samao skips pilgrim train flag-off in Budhlada

Upset over denial of party ticket from Budhlada assembly seat, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Chetan Singh Samao skipped the flag-off ceremony of a pilgrim train to Huzoor Sahib here on Friday.

Samao, a Dalit leader, had also remained absent from the inauguration of a solar power plant in his constituency earlier this week, which was presided over by renewable energy minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

“I have quit active politics now. There are many sitting MLAs who were denied ticket and have revolted in the open. I am not like those leaders who didn’t even wish party candidate (from Budhladha) Dr Nishan Singh. But I am not going to campaign for any candidate. I will stay indoors during these elections,” he said while talking to HT.

Meanwhile, it was Dr Nishan Singh who led the party workers during the flag-off ceremony of the pilgrim train at the Budhlada railway station.

Dr Nishan, who was working in the government hospital at Mansa, had quit his job to contest the elections. Several party leaders in the area were surprised over his nomination.

Samao, who is a senior party leader, said though he was invited for the ‘pilgrim train’ ceremony, he chose to skip it. “I am just keeping quiet and the people of the constituency will respond in a better way during the election. Despite being denied ticket, I have not raised the issue with any senior leader in the party. I have always been offered the ticket without asking for it.”

The MLA, who has been sidelined in the party for the past six months, was also willing to get his son nominated from Budhlada.

Samao, who has a non-controversial image, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bathinda constituency in 1998.