SAD (B) supremo challenged by kin in Lambi

Lambi (Muktsar), Feb 6: While the heat generated by the clash of cousins in Lambi constituency is spreading to the entire Badal clan, the electorate in this prestigious constituency is also facing a tough dilemma.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) supremo Parkash Singh Badal, who is contesting for the third time from this seat which he won on both occasions, is pitted against the Congress candidate and his cousin brother, Mahesh Inder Singh Badal who had contested last election as an Independent and lost.

While the entire Badal clan is divided as its members go out on the dirt-paved streets of this rural-dominated constituency to woo voters for the rival cousins, the voter too, are forced to think twice whether to vote for a possible Chief Minister or a mere MLA.

On a lighter vein, Mr Badal, former chief minister, too, questions the voter to decide whether to elect an MLA or a Chief Minister.

Considering that the vanquished M I S Badal, this time has the weight of the Congress behind him, a close contest is being apprehended for the first time by the SAD president and the entire Badal family, including wife Surinder Kaur.

His elder brother Gurdas Singh Badal, incharge of poll campaign, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure his victory run.

The senior Badal himself is not taking the challenge lightly and is visiting his constituency regularly in-between whirlwind, canvassing in other areas in favour of other SAD candidates.

The poll campaign of Mahesh Inder Singh Badal is being supervised by his cousin Deep Inder Singh Badal and Gurmeet Singh Khudian besides some local confidants. The spouses of Mahesh Inder Singh Badal and Deep Inder Singh Badal have also been going on door-to-door convassing.

Congress has been claiming votes for the developmental works done by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's government, whereas Akalis are seeking votes, citing development of the area during their regime.

Strict implementation of model code of conduct has made both the candidates and their supporters to contact voters by going door-to-door this time. Hardly any luxury vehicle is visible and only few light vehicles carrying loud-speakers have been roaming in the constituency.

Shiromani Akali Dal Badal chief has so far contested elections eight times since 1960 and won on all the occasions. Mr Badal has won six times from Gidderbaha Constituency, where his nephew Manpreet Singh Badal is sitting MLA. In 1997 and 2002, Badal was elected to assembly from this seat.

Congress candidate Gurnam Singh Abul Khurana had won this seat in 1992 when SAD (B) had boycotted the elections. He was in third position in last elections.

For the 1,25,401-strong electorate, district administration has set up 126 polling booths in the constituency. These include 64960 male and 60641 female voters.

The constituency includes 68 villages, out of these 29 have been declared sensitive and 30 very sensitive by district Administration.

UNI