Early trends in the Lok Sabha polls for Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib constituency show radical preacher Amritpal Singh, contesting from an Assam jail, leading by over 44,000 votes against Congress’s Kulbir Singh Zira. Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab de, is currently incarcerated in Assam’s Dibrugarh under the National Security Act (NSA) following his involvement in a mob attack on a police station last year.
Despite his imprisonment, Singh’s popularity among the community remains evident, with his Independent candidacy gaining significant traction. His decision to contest was influenced by the insistence of the ‘sangat’ or community, as stated by his father Tarsem Singh.
Khadoor Sahib, known as a ‘Panthic’ seat, holds symbolic importance. Singh’s candidacy has sparked debates, with Akali Dal questioning his ability to represent the ‘panth’ given his recent association with it compared to their long-standing commitment to ‘panthic’ values.
Amidst the contest, Congress’s Jasbir Singh Gill, the previous winner in 2019, and Akali Dal’s Virsa Singh Valtoha are competing alongside Singh and Zira. AAP’s Laljit Singh Bhullar is also in the fray, with the party currently in third place.
As the election progresses, the outcome in Khadoor Sahib will not only shape local politics but also reflect broader sentiments within Punjab’s political landscape.
