Parties likely to go for old warhorses in Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency

Sushil Goyal

Sangrur, March 6

Following the merger of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) with the SAD, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former Finance Minister and son of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, seems to be the frontrunner for the SAD ticket for Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. Parminder had contested from here on SAD ticket in 2019 as well.

Before the merger, there was a question in the minds of SAD’s rank and file over who would be fielded by SAD for the Sangrur seat. The Dhindsa family has dominated this constituency for more than two decades, due to which Parminder is be the obvious choice.

As for the sitting Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann, president of SAD (A), it is almost certain that he would again contest from Sangrur. Mann has won the seat twice, first in 1999 and then in the June 2022 byelection.

The name of Punjabi actor, singer and comedian Karamjit Anmol seems to be on the top of the list of candidates for the AAP. Anmol has been taking rounds and holding meetings in different parts of the constituency. Another name that is doing the rounds in the AAP’s circles is of Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, currently the MLA representing Barnala. Besides these two names, as a Hindu face, the name of Cabinet minister Aman Arora — MLA from Sunam — may also be considered by the party.

Since it is not in an alliance with the AAP in Punjab, the Congress would like to field strong candidates in all LS constituencies of the state. In such a situation, among others, the name of former Sangrur MP and former Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla may be considered for the ticket by the party, though former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy has also been staking claim to the ticket. Goldy said he had contested the Sangrur LS byelection in June 2022 on the Congress ticket on the condition that he would be given the ticket in the 2024 elections as well.

Due to the farmers’ agitation against the Modi government, BJP candidates in all Lok Sabha constituencies are set to face a tough time as they would have to face the wrath of farmers. But Daaman Thind Bajwa from Sunam, who is a secretary of the BJP’s Punjab unit, is keen to contest the election and has given her name to the party’s Sangrur constituency in-charge.

It may be mentioned here that she has been active in politics for several years and had also contested the Assembly elections from Sunam on a Congress ticket in 2017.

Apart from Daaman, the names of former Sangrur MLA Arvind Khanna and former Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon are also doing the rounds as possible BJP candidates.

However, they are not very keen to contest from Sangrur, though they have been saying that they would obey any order given by the party.

Dhillon had contested the Sangrur Lok Sabha byelection in 2022 on a BJP ticket.