Key constituency Lambi: Congress fields Jagpal Singh Abul Khurana in Badal stronghold Lambi

Archit Watts

Lambi (Muktsar), January 15

The Congress has fielded Jagpal Singh Abul Khurana in the Badal family stronghold, Lambi. This constituency has picked Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal for five consecutive times (1997 to 2017). Jagpal Singh is son of Gurnam Singh Abul Khurana, a former minister, who died last year.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already announced the candidature of Gurmeet Singh Khudian, son of the late MP Jagdev Singh Khudian, from the constituency. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is yet to make any announcement, even though the indefatigable 94-year-old Badal has been campaigning door to door. Punjab Congress general secretary Jagpal Singh, although considered close to Capt Amarinder Singh, did not switch to the Punjab Lok Congress, which is why the party seems to have rewarded him with the ticket. He is a resident of Abul Khurana village, once part of the Lambi constituency. It now falls in the Malout constituency.

It is yet unclear whether Congress leader Maheshinder Singh Badal’s supporters would go with AAP’s Khudian, their old associate, or the party nominee, Jagpal Singh. Maheshinder’s son Fateh Badal too had applied for the party ticket, said sources. A former president of the District Congress Committee, Khudian joined AAP in July last year. His family played an active role in the ‘Kisan Andolan’ on Delhi borders. His nephew, Randhir Singh Dhira, is a well-known figure in the area.

Lambi has witnessed several high-profile electoral battles. In 2017, it saw a triangular fight with then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Capt Amarinder Singh (Congress) and former Delhi-based journalist Jarnail Singh (AAP) in the fray. Badal won by 22,770 votes.

In 2012, it was a fight between three Badals – Parkash Singh Badal (SAD), his younger brother Gurdas Singh Badal (PPP) and estranged cousin Maheshinder Singh Badal (Congress). Badal Senior won by 24,739 votes.

Loyalty rewarded

Seen close to Capt Amarinder, did not switch to Punjab Lok Congress. He has now been rewarded with party ticket. Jagpal is son of late Gurnam Singh Abul Khurana, a former minister.

His father won in ’92

Parkash Badal has been winning from Lambi since 1997. The Congress won from the seat just thrice (1962, 1967 and 1992). In 1992, when the SAD had boycotted the polls, Congress’ Gurnam Singh Abul Khurana had won from here.