Dakha: Gave 2 CMs, but still a laggard
Mahesh Sharma
Dakha is predominantly a rural segment, which includes parts of the erstwhile Kilarapur constituency, from where the state got two Chief Minsters. They were late Justice Gurnam Singh and Parkash Singh Badal. Leaders of all parties bank on the popularity of Chhapar Mela and the observance of martyrdom day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha to garner support.
The Dakha constituency has remained a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). But in 2017, the Akalis suffered a setback as their candidate Manpreet Ayali lost to AAP’s
In 2019, Phoolka resigned from the Assembly, necessitating a byelection. Ayali defeated Congress nominee Capt Sandeep Sandhu, a close confidant of then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, by 14,672 votes.
Ayali banks on his popularity gained during his tenure as the zila parishad chairman, when a large number of stadia were constructed and village ponds developed.
Probable Congress nominee Capt Sandhu, though an outsider, has tried to make a mark for himself in the segment. He gained political support, earlier by his proximity to Capt Amarinder Singh and now with changed loyalty to Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. He ensured adequate grants for development projects in Mullanpur town and villages.
Jathedar Mohinder Singh Latala, a social activist, alleged the Congress government failed to come up to the expectations of residents. He, however, claimed the previous SAD governments had developed the constituency.
Past trend
SAD’s Basant Singh Khalsa won four times (1969, 1972, 1980 & 1985) and his son Bikramjit Singh Khalsa in 1997. SAD’s Charanjit Singh (1977) and Manpreet Ayali (2012, 2019 bypoll) won even when the electoral wave was not in the party’s favour.
Locals’ key demands
- Government sports academy
- Degree college for women
- Industrial Training Institute
- Multi-speciality govt hospital
Electorate strength
Total voters: 1,84,306
Male: 97,343
Female: 86,962
Third gender: 1
