The battle lines have drawn for April 11 Dhuri by-election. A total of 14 candidates would test themselves in the political waters including Congress candidate Simar Pratap Singh Barnala and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance candidate Gobind Singh longowal.
With Aam Aadmi Party already announced its decision of not contesting Dhuri by-election, the election would be a direct contest between arch rivals — SAD-BJP and the Congress. While the Congress would fight to retain Dhuri seat, SAD-BJP would leave no stone unturned to wrest its control. Dhuri assembly seat fall vacant after the Congress MlA Arvind Khanna announced his decision to leave active politics.
As many as seven candidates filed their nominations on Tuesday — the last day for filing nominations. “Total 14 nominations have been submitted by candidates representing various political outfits,” said a spokesperson of the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer. On the last day, former MlA Gaganjit Singh Barnala filed nomination as covering candidate of his son and Congress candidate Simar Pratap.