Samrala turns hot seat with SSM supremo Rajewal in fray

Tribune News Service

Nitin Jain

Ludhiana, January 18

Samrala has turned out to be a hot Assembly seat with the supremo of Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM), comprising 19 farm unions, Balbir Singh Rajewal, entering the poll fray from here.

The Winners

• Amrik Dhillon (Cong): 2017, 2012,2002, 1997
• Jagjiwan Singh (SAD): 2007
• Karam Singh (Cong): 1992, 1980
• Amarjit Singh (SAD): 1985
• Prehlad Singh (SAD): 1977, 1972
• Kapur Singh (SAD): 1969
• J Singh (ADS): 1967
• Ajmer Singh (Cong): 1962, 1957
• Ajmer Singh (SAD): 1951

Party Position

• Congress won 8 times
• SAD won 6 times
• ADS won once

Though this rural segment in Ludhiana district, which sends a maximum of 14 MLAs, constituting almost 12 per cent of the total 117 members, to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, had always in the past chosen between the ruling Congress and the Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the contest for the high-stakes February 20 Assembly polls has become multi-cornered with the entry of prominent farm leader Rajewal, who was known for active participation in the year-long farm protest that forced the Centre to roll back the three contentious farm laws recently.

I am confident of retaining the seat for the fifth time, third time in a row, in these polls. Entry of farmers’ outfit in the poll fray will be beneficial for the Congress as it will eat into the AAP and SAD vote banks. — Amrik Singh Dhillon, Congress MLA

The wind of change is blowing in the state and the same will sweep the Samrala seat as well. We are hopeful of scripting history this time. — Jagtar Singh, AAP

Public wants to teach the traditional political parties a lesson this time. We are getting an overwhelming response and are confident of winning with a thumping majority. — Balbir Singh Rajewal, SSM

Our alliance with the BSP will do wonders this time and we are way ahead than our rivals in the poll fray. People are fed up with the ruling party. — Paramjit Singh Dhillon, SAD-BSP

Buoyed by the success of the farmers’ agitation, Rajewal (78), who is the chief ministerial candidate of the SSM and founder of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal faction), was one of the 30 nominees declared so far by the SSM, which has also forged an alliance with the Sanyukt Sangharsh Party (SSP) formed by a Haryana farm leader, Gurnam Singh Charuni, giving the latter 10 seats to contest.

Though the ruling Congress has not yet declared its Samrala candidate in the first list of 86 nominees announced so far, the principal Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already named Jagtar Singh and the SAD has fielded Paramjit Singh Dhillon to contest from Samrala.

Both these parties, which had ended runners-up (AAP) and third (SAD), have, however, replaced their previous candidates – Sarbans Singh Manki (AAP), who had polled 40,925 votes, constituting 30.55 per cent of the vote share, and Santa Singh Umaidpur (SAD), who had got 38,114 votes, accounting for 28.45 per cent of the total polled votes, in the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections.

The sitting Congress MLA, Amrik Singh Dhillon (79), who had won the seat four times — 2017, 2012, 2002 and 1997 — besides contesting unsuccessfully in 2007, is hopeful of getting the ticket.

“I have proposed the name of my grandson Karanvir Singh Dhillon (31) but the party high command is still undecided on his candidature and instead, wants me to contest again,” the vete

ran leader told The Tribune on Tuesday.

Amrik Dhillon, who had polled 51,930 votes, constituting 38.77 per cent vote share, added that his first preference was the ticket to his grandson but if the party high command insisted him, he would abide by the decision and was ready to recontest this time as well.

Except the winner Congress, runners-up AAP and third-finisher SAD, all other six candidates, including Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP’s) Dalvir Singh, had lost their security deposits in 2017. As many as 1,035 voters, accounting for 0.77 per cent of the total votes polled, had opted for the “none of the above” (NOTA), which were more than other six nominees, last time.

Besides Dhillon winning four times in 2017, 2012, 2002 and 1997, the Congress had also represented the seat in 1992, 1980, 1962 and 1957. The SAD had won Samrala in 2007, 1986, 1977, 1972, 1969 and 1951.

This time, there are 1,74,410 electorates, including 91,734 male, 82,671 female and five third gender, which were 7,871, accounting for 4.73 per cent, more than 1,66,539 voters registered in this constituency in 2017.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.