In Punjab, the scene is ablaze with anticipation as a staggering 328 candidates gear up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Saturday. Beyond the sweltering heat lies a battleground where the fate of the state’s major political players and their leaders hangs in the balance, their prestige and future on the line. As the mercury soars, so does the political temperature, with Punjab all set for an unprecedented multi-cornered contest across all 13 parliamentary constituencies. The state's political landscape is more heated than ever, with intense showdowns anticipated in every corner.
With different factors prevailing in different seats, the contenders from four major parties — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — are locked and loaded for a high-stakes electoral battle, with independent candidates or those from lesser-known parties are poised to give the main players a run for their money in several key areas.
Monika Malik decodes the dynamics of Punjab’s 13 constituencies and 52 candidates from the key parties, each one primed and ready to endure the scorching test of democracy in the heated battleground on Saturday.
1. Jalandhar
In Jalandhar, the electoral battleground witnessed a fierce contest between a former Chief Minister and three prominent ‘turncoats’. For the reserved seat, the Congress has placed its bet on former ‘Dalit’ Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, while the other major parties have fielded candidates who have switched allegiances, leaving voters in a quandary. AAP’s sitting MP Sushil Kumar Rinku is now the BJP’s candidate, SAD’s former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu is running on AAP’s ticket, and Congress’ former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee is standing for SAD.
Adding another layer of intrigue, the contest pits two former Congressmen-cum-relatives, both recognized Dalit leaders, against each other. Kaypee’s daughter is married to Channi's nephew, underscoring the personal connections that complicate this political rivalry.
Every candidate in Jalandhar wields considerable influence, intensifying the race. The Congress has held this seat since 1999, with Kaypee representing it in 2009 and Santokh Singh Chaudhary winning in 2014 and 2019. The 2023 by-election, held after Chaudhary’s demise, saw former Congress MLA Rinku secure the seat for AAP. The segment comprises nine assembly constituencies, of which five were held by Congress, three by AAP, and one by an AAP MLA who has since joined BJP.
2. Amritsar
Amritsar’s ballot battleground is also witnessing an intense showdown among key parties. The BJP has fielded former diplomat Tarunjit Singh Sandhu, while AAP has nominated its Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. They face off against SAD’s Anil Joshi, a former Cabinet Minister; and Congress’ sitting MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla. This seat has been a Congress stronghold since 2014, when Capt Amarinder Singh defeated BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley. After Capt Amarinder became the Chief Minister in 2017, Aujla won the bypolls and retained the seat in 2019. The Congress is betting on Aujla for a third consecutive term. AAP and BJP have both put forth strong contenders, with AAP's Dhaliwal and BJP's Sandhu expected to give Aujla a tough fight. SAD is fielding its candidate from the seat for the first time after 1996. AAP's chances are bolstered by its representation in seven of the nine assembly segments, compared to Congress and SAD, which have one MLA each.
3. Bathinda
In Bathinda, the political temperature is high as key contenders are all set for a closely-contested battle. SAD is betting on three-time MP and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal. A seasoned politician, Harsimrat has been winning this seat since her entry into politics in 2009. However, this time she faces formidable opponents. AAP has fielded Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, who made headlines by defeating the five-time Chief Minister and Harsimrat’s father-in-law, Parkash Singh Badal, in his stronghold of Lambi by a margin of 11,396 votes.
BJP, showing confidence in fresh faces, has nominated a first-timer and former IAS officer Parampal Kaur Sidhu, who is the daughter-in-law of SAD leader Sikander Singh Maluka. Despite being new to politics, Parampal Kaur brings administrative experience and a political lineage, with her father-in-law having served as a cabinet minister in the Akali government. The Congress has put forward four-time MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, hoping his political experience will sway voters. Each candidate represents a blend of legacy, fresh energy, and political acumen, making the Bathinda contest one of the most intriguing in Punjab.
4. Anandpur Sahib
In the battleground of Anandpur Sahib, four contenders, a mix of seasoned politicians and fresh faces, are gearing up for a heated showdown. Congress and SAD have opted for familiarity, fielding former MPs — Vijay Inder Singla (formerly representing Sangrur) and Prem Singh Chandumajra (formerly representing Patiala and Anandpur Sahib). In contrast, the ruling AAP has placed its bets on Malvinder Singh Kang, a charismatic leader and the party's chief spokesperson. Meanwhile, the BJP has entrusted Subhash Sharma, a vocal leader emerging from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, with its candidacy. Sharma, with roots in Amritsar but now a resident of Mohali falling under the Anandpur Sahib constituency, brings years of active involvement in the party's ranks.
In the previous 2019 elections, SAD stalwart Chandumajra faced defeat at the hands of Manish Tewari, who has now been relocated to Chandigarh, seemingly to mitigate potential anti-incumbency sentiments. However, Chandumajra had clinched victory in 2014, besting Congress stalwart Ambika Soni. Of the nine assembly segments constituting this constituency, AAP holds sway over seven, while SAD and BSP each command one.
5. Faridkot
In Faridkot, the political landscape has undergone a notable transformation. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has entrusted his faith in his close friend and Punjabi actor Karamjit Anmol for this crucial constituency. This electoral battleground witnesses a unique clash between two artists. Opposing him is BJP’s formidable candidate, the world-renowned Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans, also the incumbent MP from Delhi. The Congress, opting for a change, has replaced its sitting MP Mohd Sadique, a renowned Punjabi folk singer, and has instead put forward a first-timer Amarjit Kaur Sahoke. Meanwhile, SAD has chosen Rajwinder Singh, a newcomer to the electoral fray, to represent their interests in this constituency. Of the nine assembly segments, eight are represented by AAP. The entry of Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, one of the assassins of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is adding fuel to the already intense electoral competition, promising potential surprises.
6. Sangrur
The electoral scene of Sangrur parliamentary constituency emerges as the state’s fiercest battleground, infused with the formidable presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Notably, all nine assembly segments within this constituency are currently represented by AAP MLAs, with four of them holding Cabinet positions, including the Chief Minister himself. In this high-stakes showdown, AAP has chosen its young Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer as its candidate, while Congress has rallied behind its Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a vocal critic of Chief Minister Mann, who alleges ‘political vendetta’ for speaking out against the government. SAD, opting for former MLA Iqbal Singh Jhunda, has stirred controversy by denying a ticket to party veteran Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, who refused to campaign for the party. Meanwhile, BJP has placed its bet on former Congress MLA Arvind Khanna.
Sangrur’s electorate exhibits a remarkable openness to various political ideologies, with voting patterns shifting consistently over the years. Despite being a bastion for AAP and Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan, unemployment remains a pressing concern in the region. While Maan himself isn't contesting this time, having been replaced by Cabinet Minister Meet Hayer, AAP faces the challenge of rebounding from setbacks like the by-elections of 2022, where Khalistani ideologue and former IPS officer Simranjeet Singh Mann secured victory. As Mann, SAD (Amritsar) president, vies for reelection, the electoral contest promises to be intriguing once more.
7. Firozpur
In a surprising turn of events, the incumbent MP and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has opted out of the electoral race in what has traditionally been the party's stronghold since 1998. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Sukhbir emerged victorious against Congress candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya, who is once again in the fray. Ghubaya, a former Akali leader and erstwhile ally of Sukhbir Badal, previously clinched victory on SAD ticket in 2014, defeating Congress stalwart Sunil Jakhar. This time around, SAD has pinned its hopes on newcomer Nardev Singh Bobby Mann. Firozpur has historically been a battleground between the Congress and Akali Dal. However, this election marks a notable shift as both the AAP and BJP throw their hats into the ring. Contesting independently without an alliance, the BJP has nominated former Congress Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, while the AAP, buoyed by its success in eight out of nine assembly seats, has placed its bets on Muktsar MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar.
8. Fatehgarh Sahib
In the electoral arena of Fatehgarh Sahib, the Congress has reposed its faith in the incumbent MP, Dr Amar Singh, who clinched victory in 2019 elections with an impressive tally of 93,898 votes from this constituency. His triumph marked a significant win over SAD’s Darbara Singh Guru, a former IAS officer. Challenging him is former MLA and AAP candidate Gurpreet Singh GP, who recently defected from the Congress, with party MLA in all nine assembly segments set to favour him. Also in contention is SAD’s Bikramjit Khalsa, a seasoned politician who previously secured electoral success from Khanna on the SAD ticket in 2007. Meanwhile, representing the BJP is Geja Ram Valmiki, the Punjab State Safai Karamchari Commission’s chairman and the national head of Valmiki community organization. Recognized for his formidable influence within the Valmiki community, Valmiki enjoys close ties with former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
9. Patiala
In the bustling electoral landscape of the Patiala constituency, the stage is set for a riveting contest as two former MPs and a former Cabinet Minister step into the fray. Four-time MP Preneet Kaur, wife of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and the incumbent MP, carries the BJP banner, having previously clinched the seat under the Congress banner. Meanwhile, Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, victorious in the 2014 elections, represents the Congress; while the AAP presents its Cabinet Minister Dr Balbir Singh, as their contender, who is one of the nine AAP MLAs in the constituency. Adding further intrigue, SAD throws its weight behind two-time former MLA NK Sharma for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The significance of the seat can be gauged from the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Gandhi siblings — Rahul and Priyanka, held massive rallies here.
10. Ludhiana
In Ludhiana, the electoral battleground promises an enthralling showdown. BJP’s surprising move to field Ravneet Singh Bittu, the incumbent MP who defected from Congress, adds a twist. Facing off against Bittu is the formidable Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring — turning it into a battle of prestige. AAP enters the fray with the nomination of sitting MLA Ashok Pappi Parashar, while SAD puts forward firmer MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon. Bittu clinched victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a significant margin of 76,372 votes on the Ludhiana seat. Of the nine assembly segments, eight are with AAP while one with Akali Dal.
11. Khadoor Sahib
The poll battleground of Khadoor Sahib is ablaze with competition this election season, especially with the entry of NSA detainee Amritpal Singh, injecting an unexpected twist into an already heated race on this panthic seat. The BJP has thrown its weight behind former Akali MLA Manjeet Singh Mianwind, while the Congress has pinned its hopes on former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira, after sitting MP Jasbir Singh ‘Dimpa’ Gill opted out. AAP, on the other hand, has entrusted its fortunes to Laljit Singh Bhullar, a Cabinet Minister known for his victory over four-time SAD MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in the 2022 Assembly elections. Adding to the intrigue is the entry of Virsa Singh Valtoha, a former legislator nominated by the SAD, who previously held the position of Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the Akali government. The most-talked-about seat is expected to throw surprises.
Of the nine assembly segments, AAP has its MLAs on seven, while the father-son duo of senior Congress leader Rana Gurjit Singh and his independent MLA son Rana Inder Pratap Singh representing the remaining two.
12. Hoshiarpur
The electoral landscape in Hoshiarpur constituency has taken on a new dimension this election cycle, especially with Prime Minister Modi concluding his 2024 election campaigning here. BJP has strategically nominated Anita Som Parkash, the wife of sitting MP and Union Minister Som Parkash, as its candidate to beat anti-incumbency. Notably, in the 2019 elections, Som Parkash secured victory over Congress’ Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal by an impressive margin of 48,530 votes. However, Dr Chabbewal is now making a re-entry into the fray, this time under the AAP banner. Adding to the mix, SAD has fielded its seasoned four-time MLA and former Minister Sohan Singh Thandal. The Congress, on the other hand, has placed its faith in the former AAP leader Yamini Gomar, who has previously contested elections in this constituency. Of the nine assembly segments, AAP has five, while Congress bagged three and BJP one.
13. Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur’s electoral scene is ablaze with intensity once more. Breaking from tradition, the BJP has chosen a local face, former MLA Dinesh Babbu, over the celebrity status of Sunny Deol. Meanwhile, the Congress stakes its claim with former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, while SAD fields former Cabinet Minister Daljit Singh Cheema, who is dubbed as an outsider. AAP adds to the fervor with its local MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalra, a comparatively young contestant, stepping into the electoral ring. Congress, with six sitting MLAs out of nine assembly constituencies under the segment, has an edge. Remaining two are with AAP and one with the BJP.
