SANLOOR/CHANDIGARH: A former Indian ambassador to the US, a relative of former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s assassin, two former Union ministers, a Sufi singer, a former state chief minister, a Khalistani hero, a well-known film actor and a gangster-turned-neta are some of the notable personalities battling it out in the Punjab elections where no political party has a clear support base.
Agricultural distress, relentless farmers’ protests, the growing drug menace, Scheme Agnivir, the Central government’s flagship scheme, AAP’s push for quality healthcare and education and Prime Minister Modi’s pro-farmer, pro-Sikh stance are some of the salient issues shaping the political discourse in Punjab ahead of the June 1 polling day.
Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, is seeking a fourth consecutive term but faces formidable rivals in her traditional stronghold. She has frequently invoked the legacy of SAD leader Parkash Singh Badal to forge an emotional connect with voters.
Former Union Minister in the UPA government, Preneet Kaur, is standing as the BJP candidate in Patiala, the royal constituency of erstwhile Captain Ameinder Singh.
Interestingly, Punjab’s senior-most BJP leader, Captain Amarinder Singh, has not been seen at any election campaign of any leader, including his wife Preneet Kaur. Singh’s aides said he has been hospitalised and has been advised to rest.
It pits Ms Kaul against Dr Dharamvira Gandhi of the Indian National Congress, a cardiologist who served as an AAP MP in 2014. Ms Kaul is banking on the Hindu vote and Mr Modi’s influence.
Taranjit Sidhu, the recently retired Indian Ambassador to the US, has been nominated as the BJP candidate for the Amritsar constituency. Congress candidate Gurjit Aujla is hopeful that he will secure a third consecutive victory. Interestingly, the SAD has fielded Anil Joshi, a Hindu face, against the other candidates.
Charanjit Singh Channi, a former state chief minister of the Indian National Congress Party and a Dalit, will contest from Jalandhar, a seat that is contested against three turncoat candidates from mainstream parties. Singer Hans Raj Hans will contest as the BJP candidate from Faridkot, taking on AAP’s Punjabi actor and singer Karamjit Anmol.
Anmol, a close confidant of Mann, has turned the contest into a star-studded event that also includes Sarabjit Khalsa, 45, the son of Beant Singh, one of the two assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who is trying to garner votes on the blasphemy issue.
The farmers’ protests are giving sleepless nights to BJP candidates who are being denied the right to campaign.
In Faridkot, Hans Raj Hans said he was surrounded by lathi-bearing farmers who blocked the road to his village. “For a second, I thought my turn had come. I remained calm and surrendered gracefully to whatever was going to happen,” he told DHNS.
The BJP has built its narrative around its pro-farmer policies and claimed to be the beneficiaries. PM Modi and other leaders have made its pro-Sikh heritage the centre of the debate, citing initiatives such as the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, changes to allow foreigners to donate to Sikh holy sites and declaring the Sikh Chhote Sahibzad sacrifice day as Veer Bal Divas.
“Farming is in a tough spot. But MSP guarantee alone is not the solution. Farmers’ income needs to be increased,” Punjab BJP leader Sunil Jakhar told DHNS.
Published May 29, 2024 23:25 IST
