SAD-Backed Independent Candidate Targets Migrant Workers in Punjab Election Campaign

Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, a gangster-turned-politician contesting as an Independent candidate from Bathinda seat with backing from SAD (Amritsar), has sparked controversy by targeting migrant workers in his election campaign. Sidhana accuses migrants, particularly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, of stealing jobs meant for Punjabi youths and altering the state’s demography.

Sidhana’s campaign revolves around portraying migrants as a threat to Punjab’s socio-economic fabric, urging villagers to be vigilant against their settlement in the state. He alleges that migrants are capturing various job sectors, causing scarcity of employment opportunities for locals.

While Sidhana’s remarks have drawn criticism, experts assert the significant contribution of migrant workers to Punjab’s development, particularly in agriculture and other sectors. They condemn Sidhana’s statements as baseless and against the spirit of the Constitution, emphasizing the positive role migrants play in Punjab’s growth.

Despite the backlash, Sidhana’s campaign underscores the contentious issue of migrant labor in Punjab and its implications for the state’s economy and social dynamics.