Randhawa set to re-enter Punjab politics, may contest from Gurdaspur

The secretary in-charge of Rajasthan Congress, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, may return to Punjab politics after Rajasthan elections. There is a speculation, that the party may field Randhawa from Gurdaspur.

Congress in Punjab is encountering a rough spell. The situation in Congress is grim as many prominent leaders including former CM Amarinder Singh, former state president Sunil Jakhar, two sitting MPs Preneet Kaur and Ravneet Singh Bittu left the party in a couple of years.

Following in former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s footsteps, his wife Patiala MP Preneet Kaur also joined BJP. Subsequently, she was declared as BJP candidate from Patiala.

Despite being traditionally considered a Congress stronghold, BJP fielded an influential and strong candidate. The crisis within Congress deepened when Navjot Singh Sidhu returned to cricket commentary amid departure of these prominent leaders, resulting in the party’s fragmentation.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, legislative party leader Partap Singh Bajwa, and Manish Tewari stand as the only prominent figures remaining. The decision of Sunil Jakhar leaving the party a few years ago was another setback to the party but Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu’s recent departure from the party was shocking. BJP gave its ticket to late Punjab CM Beant Singh’s grandson Bittu from Ludhiana. Besides, there is constant state of friction that began from assembly elections two years before.
In Jalandhar, Congress leader Sushil Rinku joined AAP last year and won Lok Sabha bypoll after that. Interestingly, he left AAP and joined BJP recently after AAP declared him its candidate from Jalandhar. After switching sides, BJP declared him its candidate from the same constituency.

Randhawa’s re-entry into Punjab Congress politics could strengthen the party as former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lacked a significant support base, potentially making him a candidate for Hoshiarpur.

Voting in Punjab will be held during the last phase of elections on June 1. So, following the completion of voting in Rajasthan on April 26, Randhawa may resume activity in Punjab.

As the most senior figure in Punjab Congress, Randhawa’s involvement could support the party. Both Randhawa and Bajwa are active in Gurdaspur politics. Bajwa’s decision not to contest Lok Sabha elections indicates his desire to remain active in state politics, leaving Randhawa as a prominent face of the party. There are indications that Congress will field Randhawa as its candidate from Gurdaspur, which otherwise considered BJP stronghold.
Although MP Manish Tewari seeks a ticket from Chandigarh, yet it remained to be seen if the party will accept his request or he will be fielded from Ludhiana after Bittu joined BJP.