Ahead of Jalandhar West bypoll, Jakhar to PM: Name Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas

Angural was AAP’s Jalandhar West (SC) lawmaker. He resigned from the Assembly on March 28, a day after he and then-Jalandhar MP Sushil Rinku switched over to the BJP from AAP. Rinku contested the Lok Sabha polls as BJP nominee but lost to Congress candidate and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

A buoyed Congress has set its sights on the Jalandhar West as Channi had secured a lead over his rivals in the Assembly segment. Previously, speculations were rife that someone from Channi’s family may get the bypoll ticket. Channi, however, dismissed the rumours. Meanwhile, several local councillors and Congress leaders have expressed interest in contesting from here, with some already staking their claim. Party leaders have indicated that even a parachute candidate might be nominated if local leaders in the constituency are deemed lacking winnability.

On the other end of the spectrum, the BJP is gearing up to reclaim the lost ground. The party trailed by a narrow margin of approximately 1500 votes in this Assembly segment. Within the BJP ranks, speculations were rife regarding their potential nominee, with many suggesting the name of Sunita Rinku, the wife of Sushil Rinku. Angural too is a potential candidate.

Considering that Jalandhar West is a reserved Assembly constituency, the timing of Jakhar’s letter to PM Modi has not gone unnoticed.

The prime minister, during his last poll rally in Hoshiarpur on May 30, said it was his wish that the Adampur airport be named after Guru Ravidas. Modi had then said the welfare of the poor was his government’s top priority and in this Guru Ravidas is a big inspiration.

The Adampur airport in Jalandhar serves Punjab’s Doaba region. Modi had virtually inaugurated the Adampur airport’s new terminal buildings on March 10.

In his letter to PM, Jakhar said, “I take this opportunity to draw your attention towards two issues that have a deep emotional-spiritual bearing on the minds of people. These issues also find resonance with your commitment towards the society”.

“The renaming of the Adampur Airport after the 15th-century spiritual sage Guru Ravidas, as already expressed by you during your recent visit to Punjab, will go a long way to underpin the ethos of spirituality in the diversity that binds India. This has also been a long-pending demand from the people of Punjab,” Jakhar wrote. He also requested Modi that since the Guru Ravidas temple in Tughlakabad in Delhi was to be rebuilt, it would be worthwhile to consider developing the area around the temple into a serene garden.

“This will enhance the shrine’s appeal without tinkering with the layout. This will inspire people from all over to soak in the egalitarian preaching of the revered saint,” the Punjab BJP chief said.

Guru Ravidas has a huge following in Punjab, especially Jalandhar and renaming the aiport after him is an emotive issue that can have bearing on the bypoll.

Meanwhile, from ruling AAP, several contenders have thrown their hat in the ring. The frontrunner is Mahinder Pal Bhagat, a seasoned campaigner with deep roots in the constituency. His father, Bhagat Chuni Lal, a three-time MLA from Jalandhar West was a former minister, and Mahinder is determined to carry forward his legacy. Additionally, names of Pawan Kumar Tinu and Dr. Kashmiri Lal are also being considered.

With his selfless service during the Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmiri Lal earned admiration and respect from the local populace. His grassroots efforts and unwavering commitment to the community have struck a chord with voters, positioning him as a potential candidate.

Meanwhile, the constituency grapples with issues ranging from development, drug abuse, illegal lottery operations, and unemployment to healthcare and infrastructure shortcomings.

Nomination papers can be filed with the Jalandhar Development Authority estate officer, who is the returning officer for the constituency. The last date for filing nominations is June 21. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on June 24 while the last date to withdraw nominations is June 26.