As the electoral fervor intensifies in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) remains amid strategic deliberations concerning its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While the official announcement is still pending, speculations abound regarding the potential contenders, with incumbent MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and her brother Bikram Singh Majithia emerging as frontrunners for Bathinda and Khadoor Sahib constituencies, respectively.
The decision regarding Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s candidacy appears imminent, particularly following SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal’s declaration that he would refrain from contesting in the upcoming polls. Consequently, the party’s focus is directed towards fielding Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda for the fourth consecutive term, thereby avoiding any perception of instability. Despite the absence of a formal announcement, Harsimrat Kaur Badal has already embarked on her campaign trail.
Simultaneously, the spotlight is also on Bikram Singh Majithia, the former minister and Badal’s brother-in-law, whose name is being considered for the Khadoor Sahib seat—a constituency of significant Panthic relevance. The SAD’s determination to reclaim the Khadoor Sahib seat, lost to the Congress in 2019, underscores the party’s quest for electoral resurgence and its concerted efforts to woo Sikh voters disenchanted since the 2015 sacrilege incidents.
The SAD’s decision to distance itself from the BJP in light of the sacrilege controversies and its stance against the release of Sikh prisoners reflects a strategic realignment aimed at bolstering its credibility among Sikh constituents. The Khadoor Sahib seat assumes pivotal importance in gauging the efficacy of this recalibrated approach.
Meanwhile, Bikram Singh Majithia has adopted an assertive stance against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling AAP government, capitalizing on the latter’s failure to substantiate drug-related allegations against him. With the Punjab Police reigniting investigations against Majithia, his defense gains further momentum amidst the AAP’s perceived inability to validate its accusations.
However, the potential candidacy of both Majithia and Harsimrat Kaur Badal risks reigniting accusations of dynastic politics within the SAD. In light of this, the name of former SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha has also surfaced as a contender for the Khadoor Sahib seat. Valtoha’s unyielding commitment to Panthic causes and his unwavering allegiance to the party position him as a formidable alternative.
As the SAD grapples with internal deliberations, figures like Valtoha and former Tarn Taran MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu await the party’s decision, underscoring the intricate dynamics at play within the party hierarchy.
With the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab scheduled for June 1, the SAD faces the formidable task of balancing its electoral ambitions with the imperative of navigating prevailing political complexities and public perceptions.
