To back Dimpy or Manpreet Badal, Akali Dal supporters weigh options

In a three-cornered contest between Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon (AAP), Amrita Warring (Congress) and Manpreet Singh Badal (BJP) in Gidderbaha, the SAD vote bank, a major deciding factor this time, seems divided between Manpreet and Dimpy.

Some Akali Dal leaders of Lambi are openly supporting Manpreet on social media, while Gidderbaha former MLA Raghubir Singh Pardhan and former SAD MLA from Muktsar Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi’s political secretary Binder Goniana are openly supporting Dimpy Dhillon. Earlier, Rozy’s name was doing the rounds as probable SAD nominee for the bypoll.

Talking to The Tribune, Binder Goniana said, “Since we can’t support the Congress or the BJP, I am supporting Dimpy and campaigning for him as well. Had Sukhbir Badal contested the election, he would have won. I am visiting villages and seeing the love of people for the SAD.”

Deciding factor

I am associated with the SAD. However, the party did not field its candidate and now I am openly supporting Dimpy. The SAD vote bank will become the deciding factor in this election and a majority of Akalis are supporting Dimpy. — Raghubir Singh Pardhan , Former MLA

Asked if Rozy Barkandi had sent him to support Dimpy, Binder said, “This is my personal decision. Rozy has gone to Chandigarh to enquire about the wellbeing of Sukhbir ji.”

Similarly, Gidderbaha ex-MLA Raghubir Singh Pardhan said, “I am associated with the SAD. However, the party did not field its candidate and now I am openly supporting Dimpy. The SAD vote bank will become the deciding factor in this election and a majority of the Akalis are supporting Dimpy.”

Meanwhile, both SAD defectors, Dimpy (once Sukhbir’s close aide) and Manpreet (Sukhbir’s cousin), are making all-out efforts to woo Akali voters. Manpreet is even trying to cash in on the legacy of former CM PS Badal by naming him in his speeches and posting his old speeches on social media.