It would be the first time in Punjab, that a former CM will be locked into an electoral battle with the incumbent CM in the Assembly elections in the state. While Badal had won four consecutive terms from Lambi, Captain Amarinder had been representing Patiala (Urban) in the state Assembly.
Punjab will soon witness an intense battle, as former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh gears up to contest the incumbent Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from the latter's home turf in Lambi for the Assembly elections scheduled for February 4.
It would be the first time in Punjab, that a former CM will be locked into an electoral battle with the incumbent CM in the Assembly elections in the state. While Badal had won four consecutive terms from Lambi, Captain Amarinder had been representing Patiala (Urban) in the state Assembly.
Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, grandson of slain Punjab CM Beant Singh, will contest against Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal from Jalalabad, which will witness a triangular contest with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann fighting from the seat. Cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had kept the party on tenterhooks for months, has been fielded from Amritsar (East), which was earlier represented by his wife, former BJP MLA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu.
Giving precedence to 'one family one ticket' rule, the party dropped the name of its political heavyweight and Vice President — Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), and five-time MLA Lal Singh and chose Harinder Pal Singh (Harry) Mann, former Punjab Information Commissioner to contest from Sanaur. Singh, former Finance Minister, had been canvassing for his son Rajinder Singh, who has been fielded from Samana, but failed to convince the Congress to bend the rules for his nomination.
Sidhu's key associate, former Akali MLA and former Olympian Pargat Singh, was nominated from Jalandhar Cantt, and the party decided to shift its local candidate, Jagbir Singh Brar to Nakodar. Singh is among the many turncoats that Congress had decided to give the tickets to.
With 114 seats announced, only three seats remain which include Amritsar South, Mansa, and Ludhiana East which will be announced by Tuesday. While the party has given tickets to Akali turncoats, it is yet to take a call on former SAD MLA Inderbir Singh Bolaria, who might be considered for Amritsar (South). Local leaders had been pitching for former MP Manish Tiwari to be fielded from Ludhiana (East).
Channeling the youth power, the party has preferred Youth Congress leaders in the poll battle this year, which includes Daman Bajwa from Sunam, and Dalvir Singh Khangura from Dhuri. Carrying the baton forward, sons of several key leaders have also been given the tickets. The party also decided to change its candidates for four constituencies owing to infighting and severe opposition to candidates earlier announced, which included Jagraon, Jalandhar (North), Bholath, and Phillaur (SC).
The last date of filing nominations is January 18.
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