The ballot battle in Dhuri is apparently not just for political supremacy but to keep alive the family legacy by the candidates of two main political parties. The only difference in that one is a veteran, and another, a novice in the field of politics. Hailing from Punjab’s renowned political families — Barnala and longowal, greenhorn Simar Partap Singh Barnala is all set to face a seasoned politician in Gobind Singh longowal in Saturday’s clash.
With politics flowing in his veins, 27-year-old Simar entered Dhuri battlefield with the backing of a political legacy established by his grandfather and former CM Surjit Singh Barnala, and taken forward by his father and former Dhuri MlA Gaganjit Singh Barnala. A law graduate, Simar will test himself in political waters in Dhuri. Fielded as joint opposition candidate, except left parties, Simar is contesting polls on Congress party’s ticket. On the other hand is the stalwart, former Minister, three-time MlA, the political heir of legendary leader Sant Harchand Singh longowal — Gobind Singh longowal — contending as Shiromani Akali Dal’s candidate.
Gobind longowal, a close aide of former SAD president Sant Harchand Singh longowal, was first entered the state legislative assembly as Dhanaula legislator in 1985. After that, he was elected MlA in 1997 and also in 2002. He remained the cabinet minister in the Punjab Government from 1997 to 2002. Barnalas have a stronghold in the constituency, a reason why the Congress has fielded Simar as joint candidate. Simar’s father, Gaganjit Singh Barnala, had been Dhuri MlA in 2002. Moreover, the constituency has traditionally been a Congress stronghold.
But, the SAD being in power in the state in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is heading the Government at the Centre, the chances of winning the polls are strong. In fact, the party has infused all its energy to win the seat that would take it to the magical figure in the State Assembly. Presently, SAD has 58 MlAs in 117-member assembly — just one short of majority. A win in Dhuri bypoll would end the dependence on its alliance partner, BJP, with which it is sharing weak relations in the recent past.
On the other hand, the Congress is in dire need of a victory as the party has been facing defeat after defeat since 2012 assembly polls. However, the internal strife and war for supremacy within the state leadership has left the Congress and the Barnalas worried. The decision of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), that won Sangrur parliamentary seat of which Dhuri assembly segment is a part, to stay away from the by-poll has turned the battle a direct contest between the SAD and the Congress or Barnala and longowal.
However, the Simarjit Singh Mann led SAD (Amritsar) candidate, Surjit Singh Kalabula, is said to be getting good response in the past few days and is expected to give tough time to the candidates of the two major parties. The “shoe-thrower” at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Bikram Singh Dhanaula, is also in the field as independent, and his election symbol is “chappals” (slippers).