6 women in fray at Badal village

While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s native village Satoj in Sangrur district unanimously elected Harbans Singh as its sarpanch today, here at former CM Parkash Singh Badal’s native village Badal in Muktsar district, a total of six candidates, including four owing allegiance to the SAD, are in the fray for the post of sarpanch.

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal had thrice held meetings with the sarpanch aspirants of his party to reach at a consensus on one name, but none of them withdrew their nomination and all are now vying with one another, a Congress-backed candidate and one other woman, who is not supported by any political outfit.

As of now, there is no AAP-backed candidate in this politically important village. The post of sarpanch is reserved for a SC woman this time.

SAD leader Nachattar Singh, ex-member of Badal village panchayat, said, “Some candidates who had filed their nomination as covering candidates have withdrawn their nomination on Monday, Now, four candidates owing allegiance to SAD are in the race for the post of sarpanch. The party may soon officially announce support to one of them. On the other hand, two more candidates — one Independent and one supported by the Congress — are also in the race.”

Similarly, Congress leader Jabarjang Singh Mukha, a former sarpanch of Badal village, said, “The SAD has failed to build consensus on one name and it will give an edge to our candidate.” Notably, Mukha had defeated Udayveer Singh Dhillon, a close relative of former CM Parkash Singh Badal, in the last panchayat elections.

Those left in the fray are Kali Kaur, Rajinderpal Kaur, Beant Kaur and Kamla Devi, all owing allegiance to the SAD; Rozy is backed by the Congress and Kulwinder Kaur, who is not supported by any political outfit.