Sad ‘retrieves’ Malwa

[Azaad]

With Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s impressive win in the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has retrieved lost ground in the Malwa belt of Punjab. The SAD has maintained victory in Faridkot and Ferozepur seats of Malwa.

Harsimrat’s victory with more than 1.20 lakh votes over Raninder Singh has caused a setback to the latter’s father Amarinder Singh, chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee. Raninder and Sukhwinder Singh Danny (Faridkot) were handpicked candidates of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

The victory of Harsimrat, Sher Singh Ghubaya and Paramjit Kaur Gulshan has proved wrong the rivals that anti-incumbency factor would help Congress candidates, particularly Raninder in Bathinda.

Harsimrat has secured an impressive lead in most of the Assembly segments that were represented by Congress MLAs. Her lead of more than 14,000 votes in Talwandi Sabo segment that is represented by Jeet Mohinder Singh is considered significant, although her lead in certain other segments of Bathinda and Mansa districts was much more. She maintained a lead over the Congress in seven of the nine segments, including Bathinda (rural), Lambi, Maur, Sardulgarh, Budladha, Bhucho and Talwandi Sabo. Raninder got lead in only Bathinda (urban) and Mansa segments.

The fight in Bathinda was neck and neck between Harsimrat and Raninder, but the high percentage of 78.75 per cent polling turned the tide in favour of the former. Followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda are this time learnt to have also voted for Harsimrat.

Jubilant Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy CM, accompanied wife Harsimrat here from Badal village when her lead became clear.

[S1ngh]

Congress kept sad busy in bathinda while they were focusing and winning tickets in other parts of Punjab. Historically, Malwa (Bathinda area) is always Akali stronghold region.

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

Congress kept sad busy in bathinda while they were focusing and winning tickets in other parts of Punjab. Historically, Malwa (Bathinda area) is always Akali stronghold region.

That is true, Malwa historically has always been an Akali stronghold region anyway, they have just regained their support there. Congress campaigned everywhere in Panjab, and although Akali Dal did as well, they did consume a lot of their energy in Bathinda gaining support for Harsimrat Kaur.