Shahkot byelection a litmus test for ruling Congress
STRAIGHT FIGHT Tough contest likely between SAD and Congress with AAP far behind
SHAHKOT (JALANDHAR) : Amid the ongoing controversies involving their candidate Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, the Shahkot assembly bypoll has become a prestige issue for chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and the ruling Congress.
With only five days to go for the polling, scheduled to be held on May 28, both major parties Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress are doing their best to garner support for their respective candidates.
Shahkot is considered a stronghold of the SAD as former MLA Ajit Singh Kohar, whose death necessitated the byelection, remained MLA for five terms consecutively. The SAD has fielded Naib Singh Kohar, son of former MLA Ajit Singh Kohar, as its candidate. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is also in the fray, is straggling with on a few leaders canvassing for candidate Rattan Singh Kakkarkalan.
Leading the SAD campaign is SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who have been camping here for the past more than a week. The Congress has also deputed cabinet ministers Manpreet Badal, Vijay Inder Singla, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and others to drum up support for Ladi. Local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu is also expected to reach the constituency on Wednesday whereas Amarinder Singh will hold a roadshow on the last day of canvassing on May 26.
The SAD, which has been attacking the ruling Congress over the alleged involvement of Ladi in illegal sand mining, has been quick to rake up other issues such as the Beas river disaster, removal of history of Sikh Gurus from books and neglect of muskmelon farmers, whose crop was damaged due to rain and hailstorm.
The Congress, on the other hand, has the advantage of being the party in power with leader after leader, including ministers, alluring voters by recounting their development works and welfare initiatives, including farm debt waiver, in the past 14 months.