In Doaba — the hub of Dalit politics — many ticket aspirants, but only one official name
In the Congress there is already a big controversy surrounding the speculation about nominating former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi from Jalandhar seat.
In Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency, political dynamics have witnessed shifts, particularly with the rise of the AAP during the 2023 byelection. (Express Archives) With the Lok Sabha elections just around the corner, major political parties in Punjab are yet to announce the nominees for the two reserved parliamentary seats – Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur – with speculation rife about the parties’ candidature plans as political situation remains fluid in Punjab’s Doaba region – often hailed as the hub of Dalit politics. Parties are scrambling to nominate candidates even as potential contenders vie with each other for party ticket for the polls.
Renowned as the NRI belt of the state, Doaba region comprises four districts – Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, and Nawanshahr – and encompasses two Lok Sabha constituencies – Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur – both of which are reserved for marginalised communities.
While Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency has nine assembly segments within Jalandhar district, Hoshiarpur parliamentary seat too has nine assembly segments across three districts – Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Gurdaspur – with a significant Dalit representation. Sri Hargobindpur is an assembly segment (in Gurdaspur district) that falls in Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency. But Gurdaspur falls in Majha region of Punjab.
In Jalandhar, the BJP has made a bold move by nominating turncoat Sushil Kumar Rinku, formerly associated with the AAP. Consequently, Rinku’s defection has prompted the AAP to scramble for a new candidate to represent the reserved constituency. However, the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are yet to announce their contenders, leading to speculation and internal debates within the parties.
In the Congress there is already a big controversy surrounding the speculation about nominating former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi from Jalandhar seat.
Former Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh’s son Vikramjit Singh, who is the MLA from Phillaur assembly segment, had already spoken out against Channi’s candidature and asserted that the former CM should not be given ticket from Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat. Names of a few other Congress leaders are also doing the rounds.
In Hoshiarpur, all eyes are on Raj Kumar Chabbewal, a former Congress MLA who recently crossed over to the AAP. Chabbewal’s surprise switch had caught many off guard, given his long-standing allegiance to the Congress. The AAP’s decision to field him as its candidate comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the party’s dominance in Hoshiarpur during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, where it (AAP) secured five out of seven MLA seats (in Hoshiarpur district). Despite this electoral stronghold, the AAP’s decision to opt for a turncoat candidate reflects the party’s strategic calculations as it seeks to consolidate its position in the region.
The political situation in Punjab is still very fluid, with making and breaking of alliances, switching allegiance and loyalties being tested. Chabbewal’s candidacy is a testament to the changing ground situation and the power-hungry world of politics.
Amid the chaos, contenders within the BJP and the Congress too are vying for their nomination.
In the Congress, former minister Santosh Chaudhary is making a pitch for her daughter’s (Namita Chaudhary) nomination from Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat, citing their deep-rooted connection to the party. Some leaders from Jalandhar are also eyeing this seat.
In the BJP, sitting Hoshiarpur MP Som Parkash is advocating for his wife’s candidacy (Anita Som Prakash) from the Lok Sabha seat, while supporters of former MP Vijay Sampla are pushing for his return to the forefront.
As the electoral battle heats up, SAD too remains undecided on its candidates for both seats, adding further intrigue to an already complex political scenario.
In Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency, political dynamics have witnessed shifts, particularly with the rise of the AAP during the 2023 byelection. Traditionally a Congress stronghold, the grand old party faced a setback in the bypoll last year when AAP candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku triumphed over Congress’ Karamjit Kaur by a substantial margin of over 58,000 votes. The district’s demographic makeup, as per the 2011 Census, boasts a total population of 21,93,950, with approximately 8.14 lakh (37%) belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Notable assembly segments within Jalandhar parliamentary constituency are Jalandhar Central, Jalandhar North, Jalandhar West (reserved), Adampur (reserved), Kartarpur (reserved), Phillaur (reserved), Nakodar, Shahakot, and Jalandhar Cantt.
The population of Hoshiarpur district is 15,86,225 as per the 2011 Census, with approximately 5,57,504 Dalits (35%). Notable assembly segments within Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat are Hoshiarpur, Chabbewal (reserved), Sham Chaurasi (reserved), Tanda, Dasuya, Mukerian, Bholath, Phagwara (reserved) (both in Kapurthala district), and Sri Hargobindpur (reserved) (in Gurdaspur district).
Both Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur constituencies boast a diverse Dalit population, with prominent communities such as Ravidasias, Ramdasias, Ad-Dharmis, Valmikis, and Majhabis exerting considerable influence in the region’s political scene.
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