SAD fields outsiders in Sangrur

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, December 5

Giving ammunition to its opponents, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has given all five Assembly tickets to ‘outsiders’ in Sangrur. The party is already facing a tough situation after the revolt by senior leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and his son Parminder.

In the last Assembly elections, SGPC former president Gobind Singh Longowal, who is from Longowal, contested unsuccessfully on SAD ticket from Sunam. This time, the party has sent him to Lehra to face SAD (Sanyukt) nominee Parminder Singh Dhindsa, who is the MLA from the area. Similarly, former Sangrur MLA Parkash Chand Garg has been shifted to Dhuri, irking the family of former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala as his grandson Simar Partap Singh Barnala, whi had been preparing from Dhuri.

Gulzar Singh is from Moonak and again got ticket from the Dirba (reserved) to face Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema. Another SAD leader Baldev Mann, who has based in Dirba, has to be shifted to Sunam.

“Our party has shifted some candidates for better management of all districts. There is nothing wrong as all are from Sangrur district and they know very well about the district,” said Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Sangrur district president of the SAD. Jhunda is also a party candidate from the Amargarh constituency of Malerkotla district. Similarly the announcement of party spokesman Winnerjit Singh Goldy, who is close to president Sukhbir Singh Badal and is from Sunam, as the candidate from the Sangrur seat, has also come as surprise for voters.

Dhindsa factor

After the revolt of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, the Akali Dal is facing a tough challenge in Sangrur district. Dhindsa and his family have commanded both districts and enjoy influence in a majority of Assembly constituencies.