Anirudh Gupta
Once a waste tract of land between the territories occupied by Brars and Dogars, Guruharsahai is often referred as ‘mandi’ which is surrounded by villages on all sides.Though it was made a subdivision in 2011, the area has not seen matching development despite being a hub of rice trade.
MLA Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, who was earlier considered a close aide of former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, has been holding the fort here since 2002 when he first won from the constituency.
Sodhi claims to have fulfilled a lot of pending demands, including construction of an elevated road, a garden along the railway stretch, sports stadium and bus stand. However, people are upset over waterlogging during the rains and poor law and order situation. “The new bus stand, constructed almost five years ago, is non-functional and the buses still enter the city, creating traffic chaos,” said Sandeep, a local. “Besides encroachments along the roads, lack of parking space is a common grouse among people,” said Harbhajan Singh, a small industrialist. This time, it will likely be the third bout between Rana Sodhi and his arch-rival Vardev Mann.
Past trend
Since 1952, the Congress has won the seat nine times. While Independent candidates emerged winners four times, the BJP and SAD grabbed it once each. The sitting MLA, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, has returned victorious four times in a row from 2002 onwards.
Electorate strength
Total voters 1,64,533
Male 85,542
Female 78,987
Third gender 4
Waterlogging sinks growth claims
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