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Chandigarh, Feb 2: Elections in all the 117 seats of Punjab is scheduled on February 4. The frontier states faces a triangular contest. The incumbent regime of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is being challenged by the Capt Amarinder Singh led Congress and the debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Among the key constituencies in Punjab poll fray, include Lambi, Amritsar East, Patiala (urban), Jalalabad and Majitha.
The state of Punjab was dominated by mighty political players including Capt Amarinder Singh, Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia and Navjot Singh Sidhu to name a few. The entry of AAP in the frontier state has changed the electoral scenario. Among some of the promising names being fielded by AAP include Bhagwant Mann, HS Phoolka and Himmat Singh Shergill. Full Coverage: Key candidates in Punjab poll fray.
Patiala (urban)
As per the electoral roll in 2012, Patiala had a total of 1,40,314 voters. The seat holds significance since it is considered to be the bastion of Capt Amarinder Singh. The veteran-cum-politician had represented the seat in Punjab assembly on three consecutive occasions (2002-2014). Amarinder was forced to vacate the seat after he won the Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar against Arun Jaitley. Amarinder’s wife Praneet Kaur is the incumbent MLA from the seat.
Patiala features a stiff electoral contest as the Akali Dal has fielded from Chief of Indian Army, Gen JJ Singh, as its candidate from the seat. “I’m a General and he is a Captain. He will be outmatched by my strategy,” Gen JJ Singh said, expressing confidence over his victory.
The AAP factor could not be depreciated from Patiala. The party has fielded Dr Balbir Singh, a political debutant but a revered eye surgeon of Patiala. Dr Balbir was credit for the victory of Dr Dharamavira Gandhi (suspended AAP PM) from Patiala in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. “We had defeated the Rani (Praneet Kaur) in 2014. Now it is time to defeat the Maharaja (Capt Amarinder),” he said. While addressing a recent roadshow in Patiala, Kejriwal claimed that Dr Balbir would surely prevail over Capt Amarinder.
Lambi
The seat holds prominence since it has been represented by Parkash Singh Badal for four consecutive terms. However, the 89-year-old Punjab CM faces serious competition in the upcoming elections. Congress’ CM candidate Capt Amarinder Singh, apart from contesting in Patiala, has also filed his nomination papers from Lambi.
AAP has fielded senior leader Jarnail Singh from the seat. The party has accused Capt Amarinder of deliberately entering the Lambi poll fray to divide the anti-Badal votes. “If Capt Amarinder is confident to defeat Badals, he should withdraw from Patiala and only contest from Lambi,” AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said.
Amritsar East
Amritsar East, falls in Majha region of Punjab, considered to be the stronghold of Akali Dal. The seat holds significance as BJP rebel Navjot Singh Sidhu is contesting it. He has been allotted the Congress ticket. The seat was previously held by his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who resigned after the couple broke away from BJP.
BJP has fielded Rajesh Kumar Honey from Amritsar East constituency. AAP has given the ticket to Sarabjit Singh Dhanjal.
Pollsters expect Navjot Singh Sidhu to bag the seat. His wife, Navjot Kaur, was a popular legislator. Sidhu holds grip on the Amritsar electorate, as he has represented the region thrice in Lok Sabha.
Jalalabad
Another tightly contested seat in Punjab legislative assembly is expected to be Jalalabad. The incumbent MLA from Jalalabad is Sukhbir Singh Badal, deputy CM and son of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. The 55-year-old Akali dal president is being challenged by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann. Congress has fielded Ludhiana MP Ravinder Singh Bittu from the seat.
Both Mann and Bittu pose stringent challenge to Sukhbir. The latter is also facing the brunt of anti-incumbency against Badal regime. Mann, the Sangrur MP, is arguably the most popular regional face of AAP in Punjab.
Majitha
Mijitha, falling in Majha region of Punjab, is currently held by Akali Dal. The seat holds significance since it is being represented by Bikram Singh Majithia, accused as ‘drug lord of Punjab’ by AAP. Majithia has turned into a demonised figure in Punjab politics, after his name propped up in the ED investigation of drug racket in Punjab.
AAP has fielded a senior state leader Himmat Singh Shergill, Congress’ candidate from the seat is Sukhjinder Raj Singh, who has lost on two consecutive occasions against Bikram Singh Majithia.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has turned Majithia into his poll plank, promising to send him to jail if AAP comes to power. “We will win Punjab. We will defeat Majithia. We will not only end drugs in 4 weeks, but also send the drug lord Majithia to jail by April 15,” Kejriwal has reiterated in several public meetings.
For complete list of key candidates, click here. The results of elections would be declared on March 11. Opinion polls so far have given Congress the edge.
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