SAD (Badal) releases list of 62 candidates

Chandigarh, Dec 30 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) today released its first list of candidates for the February 13 Vidhan Sabha elections in Punjab, containing 62 names.

Releasing the list at a press conference here, party president Parkash Singh Badal said the list of remaining candidates would be released shortly. The SAD (Badal) is contesting the elections to 117-member assembly in alliance with the BJP.

Almost all party stalwarts figured in today's list and most of them had been Ministers in the previous SAD-BJP government.

Mr Badal would contest from his traditional Lambi assembly constituency of Muktsar district. Party's senior vice presidents Ranjit Singh Brahmpura would contest from Naushehra Pannuan and Gurdev Singh Badal would contest from Panj Graian assembly constituency.

The SAD general secretay Balwinder Singh Bhundar would contest from Sardoolgarh and former Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh would contest from Banur assembly constituency.

Mr Surjit Singh Kohli would contest against Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala assembly constituency. Former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur would be the party candidate from Bhulath and Dr Upinderjit Kaur would contest from Sultanpur Lodhi assembly constituency. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon would contest from Patti assembly constituency and Gaganjit Singh Barnala from Dhuri. Abdul Gaffar has been given party ticket from Malerkotla.

There are 16 dalits, 11 youngsters, three women, one Muslim and two Hindu candidates in the list. Out of 62 candidates announced, 38 are graduates or have higher qualifications.

The party has announced candidates, six each from Amritsar, Ludhiana and Sangrur, five each from Gurdaspur and Patiala, four each from Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Mansa, three from Mukatsar, two each from Batinda, Faridkot, Kapurthala, Moga, Nawan Shahar, Ropar and newly created district of Tarn Taran.

UNI DP VD VV1941