The Bathinda Lok Sabha Constituency has seen a reign of dominance by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). SAD’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal has had a firm hold on the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat since 2009. She managed to secure 3 consecutive victories and is again contesting the elections this year, hoping to secure a 4th. However, the Akali Dal will be contesting the elections solo for the first time since 1998. This means that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be contesting a candidate of their own. BJP faces a tough challenge in the rural dominated area of Bathinda, having most enjoyed the favor of the urban areas.
Keeping this in mind, BJP will be fielding senior SAD leader Sikandar Singh Maluka’s daughter-in-law, Parampal Kaur Sidhu. Not only this, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are also likely to play the spoilsport as AAP announced Gurmeet Singh Khuddian as their candidate who had defeated SAD Chief Parkash Singh Badal in the Lamba constituency. On the other hand, Congress will be fielding Talwandi Sabo ex-MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh instead of Congress state President Raja Warring’s wife, Amrita Warring. Simranjit Singh Mann’s SAD (Amritsar) put their hopes behind ex-gangster Lakha Sidhana, hoping to earn the Panthak votes. This puts forth a tight 5-way battle that is sure to put a damper in Akali Dal’s spirits, which is looking to secure another victory against increasingly insurmountable odds.
BJP fields ex-IAS officer:
Parampal Kaur Sidhu is a former IAS officer and the daughter-in-law of senior Akali Dal leader Sikandar Singh Maluka. Sikandar Singh Maluka was considered to be a close aide of Prakash Singh Badal and was the education minister Punjab during the Akali government’s rule till 2017. As per reports, Maluka was reportedly upset with SAD for not giving him a ticket to contest from the Maur constituency. As a result, rumours were circulating that he himself is likely to leave Akali Dal. As per reports, SAD is currently making big efforts to keep Maluka in the party.
SAD’s family politics throw a spanner in the works
SAD has secured a victory over the Bathinda LS seat for the past 4 consecutive years, with Harsimrat Kaur Badal, winning 3 out of those 4 times. Harsimrat Kaur Badal had defeated Sukhbir Badal’s cousin and former Finance Minister of Punjab Manpreet Badal in 2014 elections. Manpreet Badal is currently in BJP, however whether he will campaign against his sister-in-law remains to be seen.
AAP fields Khuddian, who defeated Parkash Singh Badal in Lamba:
Aam Aadmi Party will be fielding MLA Gurmeet Singh Khuddian. Khuddian had defeated SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal in the Lamba constituency. Khuddian won the Lambi constituency by bagging total votes of 66,313 while Badal finished at second position with 54,917 votes.
However, AAP faces another challenge in the form of the farmers’ protest which ramped up this year. Khuddian is also Punjab's agriculture minister, and hence faces opposition from the farmers over their declining crops and unmet demands.
Congress faces infighting from denying ticket to Raja Warring’s wife:
Congress will be fielding Talwandi Sabo ex-MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh. However, sources say that Punjab State Congress President Raja Warring’s wife, Amrita Warring, was not happy with this decision. According to reports, Jeet Mohinder Singh was given the ticket as Congress’ internal surveys suggested that Jeet Mohinder was more likely to secure the victory.
Simranjit Singh Mann’s SAD (A) banks its hopes on an ex-gangster:
Simranjit Singh Mann’s SAD (Amritsar) will be fielding gangster turned politician Lakhbir Singh a.k.a. Lakha Sidhana as their candidate for Lok Sabha elections. One of the most dreaded gangsters in Punjab at one time, Lakha Sidhana is an accused in more than two dozen cases, including murder. Not only this, as per reports, Lakha Sidhana used to work for Sikander Singh Maluka.
Bathinda Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Candidates:
- Shiromani Akali Dal: Harsimrat Kaur Badal (Current MP)
- BJP: Parampal Kaur Sidhu
- AAP: Gurmeet Singh Khuddian
- Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar): Lakha Sidhana
- Congress: Jeet Mohinder Singh
Previous winners:
2004: Paramjit Kaur Gulshan (SAD)
2009, 2014, 2019: Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD)
The Bathinda Constituency will be featuring 1,814 polling stations, with a total of 16,38,881 voters. Out of these 8,63,989 voters are male, 7,74,860 are female and 32 transgender. Polling in Punjab will take place in the 7th phase of the Lok Sabha elections i.e. June 1.