Bathinda Lok Sabha seat: Harsimrat Badal's track record, coupled with challenges posed by AAP, Cong and BJP sets stage for interesting contest
Bathinda Lok Sabha seat: In a significant move by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), sitting Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal has been chosen as the candidate for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 scheduled in the state for June 1. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), known for its stronghold in the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, has positioned Harsimrat Kaur Badal for her fourth consecutive bid.
SAD's Harsimrat Kaur Badal
However, in what promises to be a closely contested election, the opposition parties — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and BJP have also fielded candidates with determination. AAP has nominated their Cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, who had defeated late Parkash Singh Badal in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, making him a formidable opponent.
AAP's Gurmeet Singh Khuddian
On the other hand, the Congress has chosen former MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, who has a history with the Akali Dal, having served as MLA from Talwandi Sabo four times. Despite Sidhu's switch from the SAD to the Congress in 2023, there are murmurs of discontent among local party members, citing dissatisfaction with the ticket allocation process. The "rebels" within the Congress have expressed concerns about the party favouring newcomers over loyalists, complicating Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu's path to victory.
Congress' Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu
Meanwhile, BJP's candidate Parmapal Kaur Sidhu, a former IAS officer who recently joined the party with her husband Gurpreet Singh Maluka, is gearing up for the electoral fray. However, her candidacy has been met with challenges, particularly regarding the ongoing farmers' protests, which have made campaigning a nuanced task.
SAD's Harsimrat Kaur Badal, sitting MP from Bathinda, entered the political arena in 2009 and defeated Captain Amarinder Singh's son, Raninder Singh Tikku, by a margin of 1,20,948 votes. Since then, she has maintained her grip on the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, winning by substantial margins. In 2014, she had defeated Manpreet Singh Badal of the Congress, and in 2019, she secured victory against Congress' Amarinder Singh Raja Warring with a margin of 21,772 votes.
BJP's Parampal Kaur Sidhu
While the margin of victory for Harsimrat Kaur Badal has fluctuated since 2009, with a slight decrease in 2019, her challengers are well aware that defeating her in this seat will not be an easy task. Her consistent performance and popularity in the constituency have solidified her position, making her a formidable candidate once again in 2024.
Historical Significance of Bathinda Lok Sabha Seat
The Bathinda Lok Sabha seat has historically been a stronghold of the SAD , with the party dominating most elections. This constituency encompasses nine Vidhan Sabha seats.
As the political landscape heats up in Bathinda, all eyes are on the battle for the Lok Sabha seat. Harsimrat Kaur Badal's track record, coupled with the challenges posed by AAP, Congress, and BJP, sets the stage for a riveting electoral contest. With historical trends favouring the Akali Dal in this constituency, the outcome of the 2024 election will not only determine the fate of the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat but also have broader implications for Punjab's political landscape.
- PTC NEWS
