Malout residents await road to growth

Archit Watts

Known for its car bazar and agricultural implements, the constituency has remained the favourite of the Badals. It is located next to Lambi and late Bibi Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of former CM Parkash Singh Badal, played a vital role in developing the town.

Sitting Congress MLA-cum-Deputy Speaker Ajaib Singh Bhatti claims he has left no stone unturned in developing the area.

However, a majority of locals have a different story to tell. They allege though traffic lights have been installed and few saplings planted along some roads, nothing much has been done. Corruption, too, remains an issue. In villages, the reverse osmosis water treatment plants are lying defunct. Many residents have also claimed the sitting MLA is rarely seen in the constituency. “The national highways pass through this small town, the lack of development leaves much to be desired,” residents said.

Past trend

Five-time CM Parkash Singh Badal contested his first election from here on the INC ticket in 1957 and won. Harpreet Singh Kotbhai has won twice in 2007 and 2012. His father Sujan Singh, who remained a Cabinet Minister too, became an MLA from here in 1997.

Electorate strength
Total voters 1,73,348
Male 92,108
Female 81,234
Third gender 6