It's fight for prestige in Amritsar East

Jupinderjit Singh

Amritsar, February 18

Unlike other parts of the state, election fever is in full crescendo in the Amritsar East constituency. Political flags adorn housetops and cutouts of candidates dot roadsides as two titans try their luck from the seat.

The candidates seem to have not spared an inch of space to put up billboards and posters. This is besides the umpteen offices that have sprung up on both sides of the road leading to the constituency, where Congress’ bigwig Navjot Singh Sidhu and SAD heavyweight Bikram Singh Majithia are contesting against each other, making it the hottest constituency to watch. AAP’s Jeevanjot Kaur is a first-timer, who is taking on the both big guns.

It is a contest for prestige in the segment. On one side is three-time MP and incumbent MLA Sidhu, who is seeking re-election, and on the other is Majithia, who left his home turf Majitha to take on Sidhu. Majithia’s grouse is that Sidhu got a false drugs smuggling case registered against him. BJP candidate Dr Jagmohan Raju is not lagging behind, but it is Jeewanjot who is the dark horse.

“Sidhu did not get us a job in compensation for the loss of my son Dalbir Singh Ghuggu in the Dasehra train mishap. We got monetary compensation from the state and Centre, but he never visited us,” says Swaran Kaur in street No. 2 near the Jora Phatak where the mishap took place. Stresses his friend Gursharan Singh: “We have seen all parties and their promises. This time we will go for the AAP.”

Ranbir Johal, a trader, said. “It is a battle for prestige. Some fireworks are necessary. And Amritsaris call a spade a spade. Sidhu ‘dhakkad banda hai’.”