Traditional political parties rarely open electoral offices, but they did so this time. A group of people who are usually there for tea and lunch as party workers near the Congress offices in Fatehgarh Sahib and Malerkotla, and the SAD offices in Rajpura and Sanaur, confirmed the political flavor this time is for "change" after a brief chat near the Congress offices in Fatehgarh Sahib and Malerkotla, and the SAD offices in Rajpura and Sanaur.
In Malwa, the backwaters of Punjab, the common man — Dalits, farmers, Hindus, Sikhs, middle-class or poor — is perplexed by the political situation, which has taken numerous twists and turns with local officials overnight flipping sides. However, this time around, the buzzword is "vote for change."
The strong presence of AAP candidates on the ground reflects a sad story of broken promises and unfulfilled promises spanning several decades. With the BJP going all out to court its traditional voter base in cities, Malwa could produce some close but unexpected outcomes.
A voter said, “It has been over 50 years of rule by the two traditional parties in Punjab, and still civic amenities, cancer deaths, and even farm suicides are common. Let’s try the third option.”
"We want change" is a prevalent statement from Ludhiana to Khanna, Fatehgarh Sahib to Mohali, Patiala to Sangrur, and all the way to Bathinda and Ferozepur in Malwa.
All three chief ministerial candidates in Punjab are fighting in Malwa, highlighting the importance of the region. AAP's Bhagwant Mann is running from Dhuri, Congress' Charanjit Singh Channi is running from Bhadaur, and Akali Dal's Sukhbir Badal is running from Jalalabad. Even Punjab Lok Congress president and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is contesting from Patiala.
“Despite organisational and political blunders, the AAP has emerged as a substantial player in state’s electoral politics. Neither does it have the organisational network that the SAD has nor traditional cadre like that of the Congress. It is the silence which the AAP is counting on and which unnerves the trio of BJP, SAD and the Congress,” a political analyst said.
The AAP's ground support in 2017 had given them a reason to hope for an unlikely win. However, the party was only able to secure 18 of the region's 69 seats. But it was enough to put the SAD-BJP ahead of the pack, which won only eight seats. On the strength of Capt Amarinder Singh's popularity, the Congress won 40 seats in Malwa alone.
The party's image has been tarnished by the "mishandling" of the investigation into the 2015 sacrilege episodes, and the SAD and AAP are seeking gains. The Congress has only gotten worse since Capt Amarinder launched his own party in collaboration with the BJP. The SSM's inclusion of farmers as candidates has caused challenges for established parties, as these farmer leaders are reducing their vote share. However, in metropolitan areas, this split is working in the BJP's favor.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and self-proclaimed religious leader, was released ten days ago after serving life in jail for the murder of former journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati and the rape of two of his pupils.
In Malwa, the Dera possesses great power. All parties in Punjab are vying for Dalit votes this time because the Dalit community makes up 32 percent of the population and the majority of the Dera's followers in this region are Dalits. Though the majority of its supporters in the villages support the AAP, Dera votes could tip the balance in this belt.
“We are yet to get a clear message from our political think-tank, whom to vote for. But I am sure it would not be only for the BJP or SAD. At many places they are dismal fourth and therefore wasting our votes would not help matters. Feedback was sought from the Malwa belt and seat-wise feedback was given,” stated a top Dera official.
Here's a key list of candidates standing for Punjab Elections
Capt Amarinder Singh (PLC) faces Vishnu Sharma (Congress), Harpal Juneja (SAD-BSP), and Ajit Pal Kohli in Patiala Urban (AAP)
Madan Lal Jalalpur (Congress) is up against Prem Singh Chandumajra (SAD-BSP) and Gurlal Ghanaur (SAD-BSP) in Ghanaur (AAP)
Labh Singh Ugoke (AAP) and Satnam Singh Rahi (Congress) are challenging Charanjit Channi (Congress) in Bhadaur (SAD-BSP)
Sukhbir Singh Badal (SAD) will face Mohan Singh Phalianwala (Congress) and Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj in Jalalabad (AAP)
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (Congress) is up against Parminder Singh Dhindsa in Lehra (SAD-S)
Sidhu Moosewala (Congress) is up against Dr. Vijay Singla (AAP) and Prem Arora (BJP) in Mansa (SAD-BSP)
Sikander Singh Maluka (SAD-BSP) faces Gurpreet Singh Kangar (Congress) and Balkar Sidhu in Rampura Phul (AAP)
Amrinder Singh Raja Warring of the Congress, Preetpal Sharma of the AAP, and Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon of the AAP in Gidderbaha (SAD)
Manpreet Badal (Congress), Sarup Chand Singla (SAD-BSP), and Jagroop Singh Gill are the candidates for Bathinda Urban (AAP)
Rana Gurmit Sodhi (BJP), Parminder Singh Pinki (Congress), and Ranbir Bhullar (BJP) are the candidates for Ferozepur Urban (AAP)
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash