Congress at number 3: Moosa humbles Moosewala’s father

While Moosa village humbled Balkaur Singh and Congress, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s native Satoj village gave AAP candidate Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer an overwhelming majority.

Sidhu Moosewala's father Balkaur Singh Sidhu with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (File Photo)

Sidhu Moosewala's father Balkaur Singh Sidhu with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. (File Photo)

Despite slain Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu Moosewala’s father Balkaur Singh seeking votes for the Congress across Punjab in order to get justice for his son, he could not secure top slot for the party in his Moosa village. The party was placed third in the village, which falls in Sardulgarh Assembly segment in Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) turned out to be the top choice of residents of Moosa, like the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency that voted SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

As per the data of final results compiled by the Election Commission of India, out of 2,771 registered voters, 2,000 turned up to vote. Of them, 703 voted for the SAD, 604 voted for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and only 495 voted for the Congress. The BJP polled 24 votes and gangster-turned-politician Lakha Sidhana got 84 votes. The BSP got 27 votes.

The polling in Punjab had taken place on June 1, two days after second death anniversary of Sidhu Moosewala, who was murdered in broad daylight on May 29 in 2022. The village had observed Moosewala’s anniversary in local gurdwara only two days prior to the elections. Before that, his father had held a small rally in the village seeking votes for the Congress.

Moosewala had contested February 2022 Assembly elections unsuccessfully on Congress ticket from Mansa Assembly segment. His father, Balkaur Singh, had been supporting the Congress and seeking a change in guard holding the incumbent government responsible for denying justice to his son.

His appeal, however, did not have much effect in the village. The village residents had already told The Indian Express ahead of elections that they loved the slain singer, but the choice of vote was personal.

In Bathinda LS constituency, the Congress had fielded former MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, the AAP had fielded sitting Cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. The village also followed the larger trend followed by the entire constituency.

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Also Read | In Moosewala’s village, amid his father’s Cong pitch, a refrain: ‘Love the slain singer, but voting is personal’

While Moosa village humbled Balkaur Singh and Congress, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s native Satoj village gave AAP candidate Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer an overwhelming majority.

In Satoj, the ruling AAP bagged 1,106 votes while SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjeet Singh Mann was a runner-up by securing 286 votes. Placed third, the SAD got 71 votes, the Congress 59 votes and the BJP 41 votes.

Satoj falls in Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, represented twice by CM Mann.

The village of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal also voted for former SAD patriarch’s party and his daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur Badal. In Badal village, Harsimrat polled 1,160 votes, the Congress bagged 377 votes. The AAP secured 225, the BJP ’s tally was 44.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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