Archit Watts
Tribune News Service
Muktsar, January 9
In Badals’ home district Muktsar, the AAP has become the first party to declare its all four candidates from Muktsar, Malout, Gidderbaha and Lambi Assembly constituencies.
Notably, the SAD has so far declared its three candidates and preferred to maintain silence on Lambi, which is the home turf of former CM Parkash Singh Badal. Surprisingly, the nonagenarian Badal has even toured nearly half of the villages falling in this rural constituency, but still keeping the cards close to his chest.
The Congress and BJP are yet to release even their first list of candidates. The Sanyukt Samaj Morcha’s political activity is so far negligible. Recently, some Congress leaders joined the Punjab Lok Congress, but they, too, are yet to come into poll mode.
Notably, the AAP has given the ticket to a woman doctor, an advocate and two farmers. It has fielded Dr Baljit Kaur (daughter of ex-MP Sadhu Singh) from Malout (Reserved) constituency, advocate Pritpal Sharma (ex-president of Muktsar Bar Association) from Gidderbaha, Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar (former SAD leader) from Muktsar and Gurmeet Singh Khudian (former senior Congress leader) from Lambi. Except Dr Kaur, the other three candidates are residents of their respective constituencies. As Dr Kaur has served at the Muktsar Civil Hospital for a long period, she is not being considered an outsider.
A political expert said: “Muktsar has a large number of downtrodden people and AAP is focusing on them. In the last Assembly polls, AAP had, however, failed to open its account here. The Congress should also start announcing its candidates for better results. The BJP seems to be waiting for some leaders of other parties to come into its fold.”
AAP first to field all four candidates in Muktsar district
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