Rana got votes for BJP in MC polls

Though BJP leaders Laxmi Kanta Chawla and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu have launched a scathing attack on ASI Ravinderpal Singh's murderer and former SAD general secretary from Amritsar (West) Ranjit Singh Rana — with Sidhu even demanding that he be shot dead at the same place where he killed the ASI — Rana had played a key role in the victory of BJP councillors from ward 63 and 65 in the recently held Amritsar municipal corporation polls.

While BJP candidate Rajni Sharma had won from Ward 63, party leader Satpal was elected from Ward 65. According to SAD organising secretary in Amritsar, Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Rana played a key role in mobilising votes in the booths under him and ensured victory of the candidates.

"Dhillon, myself and circle president Avtar Singh Mann had collectively recommended Rana's name for the post of SAD general secretary. I directly did not know Rana. He came in our contact through Dhillon," SAD senior vice-president in Amritsar, Baljit Singh Billa, said.

The Indian Express had on Thursday reported that Rana, who made a parachute entry into SAD, was rewarded with the plum post of party general secretary in September for his work in the Amritsar municipal polls.

"Prior to joining SAD, Rana was a small-time Congress worker. He mobilised votes in the booths under him in wards 63 and 65 and the candidates won. It was due to this that his name was recommended for the post of SAD general secretary after he asked for the post," said Dhillon.

"If anyone supports us, it was but natural for us to recommend his name. Moreover, Rana had no criminal record. Tomorrow, if someone kills his wife, what is our fault? Even the mother of five sons does not know what every son will do. All five fingers are not the same," Dhillon said, adding that party had already ensured that justice was delivered in the case.

... contd.

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