Brother or nephew? SAD hunts for safer bet for CM

In addition to Lambi,the survey done by a government agency has given the People’s Party of Punjab three more seats — Muktsar in the “winning” category and two,Gidderbaha and Nawanshehr,as waiting (winnable). The ground reports on Lambi have set the alarm bells ringing in the ruling party. The CM,who has so far been silent on his poll turf for the coming elections,is debating between taking on his brother in Lambi or nephew in Gidderbaha,a seat contested by him five times before Manpreet was fielded in the 1995 Assembly bypoll.

Sources in the Shiromani Akali Dal said the party is considering to field either the CM or his daughter-in-law Harsimrat Badal,presently a Member of Parliament from Bathinda from Gidderbaha against Manpreet. But the party is not yet willing to disclose its cards. SAD secretary and spokesman Daljit Cheema says the constituency of the CM is being kept under the wraps as part of the party tradition. “The CM as leader of the party will contest from all the 117 seats. As far as his nomination is concerned,it will be disclosed after the polls are announced in the state,as is the norm,” he said.

On reports of surveys being conducted by various agencies,Cheema said: “We are all positive and we are returning back to power.”

However,Manpreet Badal thinks SAD is in a panic mode. “Effectively,just one month is left for the declaration of polls. I am shocked that both the CM and Deputy CM are still looking for safe seats. Why don’t they announce which seats are they contesting from,if they are so sure of winning,” he says. On CM contesting from his constituency,Badal said he is aware of such a possibility and is fully prepared to take on the CM.

“Meri tyari sher di hai,chahe gidar aa jaye (I am prepared to take on the lion though they may finally field a fox).

“Gidderbaha will not vote for my performance but out of emotional ties. I have represented the seat four times and my victory margin has increased with every election. I will again defend it to the best of my ability,” he says.

Interestingly,a survey of the Opposition Congress has given two seats to Manpreet but says the great family war between the Badals will help it gain at least 15 seats from the Akali Dal due to division of votes. The party which is once again likely to field Mahesh Inder Badal,a cousin of Parkash and Gurdas Badal,against the CM from Lambi,is also smelling victory of its own in the clash between the two brothers.