In 5-way fight, Amritpal Singh is the X factor

The decision of Amritpal Singh, the incarcerated president of Waris Punjab De (WPD), to run for Lok Sabha election from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency has not only attracted the attention of everyone to this panthic stronghold but has also sparked concerns within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) about potential erosion of their voter base.

In addition to Amritpal, who is running as an independent candidate, other major political parties’ nominees include Virsa Singh Valtoha from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), former chief parliamentary secretary Manjit Singh Manna from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former three-time MLA Laljit Singh Bhullar from the Aam Aadmi

Party (AAP), and former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira from the Congress party.

The sudden prominence of the Khadoor Sahib constituency is attributed to Khalistan protagonist Amritpal, currently incarcerated in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, under the National Security Act and the plea from SAD candidate Virsa Singh Valtoha for him to reconsider his candidacy.

Hardliner self-styled Sikh preacher’s candidacy has raised concerns about the potential resurgence of hardline elements and their ideology in this Sikh-majority constituency spread across four districts including Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Amritsar and Ferozpur.

Akali stalwarts Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala and Ranjit Singh Brahampura had represented the panthic constituency in 2009 and 2014 respectively but in 2019 elections SAD candidate and former president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Bibi Jagir Kaur unexpectedly lost to Congress nominee Jasbir Singh Gill.

Human Rights activist Paramjit Kaur Khalra had also contested and lost the LS elections in 2019.

Despite hefty promises and assurances by successive members of Parliament to bring in major projects, the Khadoor Sahib constituency still lacks reputable educational institutes, hospitals and modern infrastructure.

The issue of potable water is a major concern in some parts of the constituency.

Additionally, the area is grappling with drug addiction and issues related to conversions, highlighting the need for urgent attention and development.

The Khadoor Sahib constituency, once a hotbed of militancy in Tarn Taran district, witnessed a historic election in 1989.

The then jailed president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (M), Simranjit Singh Mann, now contesting from Sangrur parliamentary constituency, contested and won the then Taran Taran LS constituency.

He secured an astounding 93.92% of the votes, while his closest competitor Ajit Singh Mann of the Congress received a mere 8.42% of the votes.

Simranjit Singh Mann garnered 527,707 votes, leaving Ajit Singh Mann far behind with just 47,290 votes.

KNOW THE CANDIDATES

Amritpal Singh (Ind)

President of Waris Punjab Dae (WPD) is currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under National Security Act. As per his father Tarsem Singh, “despite being a political greenhorn, the overwhelming support he is receiving indicates a strong likelihood of Amritpal winning by a record margin. His commendable efforts in promoting Sikhism and persuading Sikh youth to embrace the faith and eschew drugs are noteworthy. Amritpal’s victory in the constituency will mark a significant milestone in revitalizing the initiatives spearheaded by Bhai Sahib, as he is affectionately referred to by his parents and others”.

Virsa Singh Valtoha (SAD)

SAD’s former MLA from Virsa Singh Valtoha had defeated Congress party’s Gurchet Bhullar from Valtoha constituency in 2007 and in 2012, he stood victorious from Khemkaran (former Valtoha) assembly constituency. He has been the chief parliamentary secretary and is the spokesperson of the SAD. He has been part of important decisions taken by SAD and claims to eradicate the drug menace from the constituency and provide jobs to the youth so they “didn’t have to borrow money or their parents didn’t have to sell their properties to send them abroad”.

Laljit Bhullar (AAP)

A former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteer, Laljit Singh Bhullar contested the 2022 assembly elections from Patti assembly constituency and during the ongoing wave of AAP, he defeated SAD and Congress senior leaders Adesh Partap Singh Kainron and Harminder Singh Gill. He was taken in Bhagwnat Singh Mann’s cabinet. Bhullar is taking the whirlwind tour of Khadoor Sahib constituency and claims to have joined hundreds of families in AAP’s fold and claims that people are joining the party after being impressed by party’s two years of work and the facilities provided by AAP govt to the common people.

Manjit Singh Manna (BJP)

Three-time MLA on the SAD ticket from Khadoor Sahib and Baba Bakala, Manjit Singh Mianwind joined the BJP ahead of the 2022 assembly elections. Manna has been aggressively campaigning in the constituency ever since the saffron party announced his candidature. Manna cries foul of the development in the constituency and vows to bring a wave of development if voted to power. During his campaign, he vociferously talked about the drug menace and accused the successive representatives of the constituency of their alleged failure in checking the cross-border smuggling.

Kulbir Singh Zira (INC)

Former MLA from Zira, Kulbir Singh Zira contested and won assembly elections on Congress party’s ticket from Zira assembly constituency in 2017 but lost the election in 2022. Zira is contesting from the Congress party’s ticket and claims that people still remember former prime minister Manmohan Singh and stresses there is a need to continue and move ahead with his vision for the progress. He also claims Congress has the right vision to bring the country on the path of progress and promises to eradicate the drug menace from the constituency.