LIKELY CONTENDERS

Prem Singh Chandumajra (SAD)

In good books of the Badals, he did not break ranks with the party to join taksalis when a crisis hit SAD. Despite being a claimant for a Union cabinet berth, he did not protest when Harsimrat Badal was sworn in.

Ambika Soni/Anoop Soni (Cong)

If Rajya Sabha MP Ambika Soni decides not to contest or is asked not to do so, her son Anoop (50) could be a contender. A businessman, he worked with his mother during the last elections. She calls him public-spirited.

Manish Tewari (Cong)

A former Union minister, Tewari shied away from recontesting from Ludhiana when UPA’s graph was sinking. Now, he is working overtime to get ticket from Chandigarh. He may settle for Anandpur Sahib, if party decides to field a Hindu face.

Bir Devinder Singh (SAD-Taksali)

From the stable of newlycobbled SAD (Taksali), Bir Devinder is a good orator, someone who spoke at Amritsar rallies skipped by Amarinder (now CM) during the 2014 polls. But being a turncoat may go against him.

Narinder Singh Shergill (AAP)

Aam Aadmi Party has announced the name of Shergill, a former sarpanch of Jhingran Kalan village of Kharar and a progressive farmer. A moneybag, he is selling the Delhi model of Kejriwal to voters.