Punjab BJP LS probables: From IAS officers to former Cong MLAs

A list of 231 probable candidates for the state’s 13 Lok Sabha constituencies had been sent to the senior party leadership on March 4. “The names had come from grassroot-level workers, block presidents, mandal presidents and even district presidents. Other than that, no application was sought from any candidate,” a BJP leader told The Indian Express. Interestingly, several former Congress MLAs are on the list of candidates.

At 19, the most number of names have come for Fatehgarh Sahib constituency, followed by Ludhiana from where 18 names have been suggested and Ferozepur constituency which saw 17 choices. BJP workers suggested 15 names for the Amritsar seat and 14 for Sangrur.

Some of the names were suggested for two different seats. For instance, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi was suggested from both Amritsar and Ferozepur. The former Congress MLA had joined the BJP in early 2022. The other names in Amritsar include former Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik, Jagmohan Singh Raju, Rajinder Mohan Chhina, and Amarpal Singh Bonny.

From Ludhiana, BJP spokesperson Parminder Singh Brar’s name was proposed while party general secretary Anil Sarin, Gurdev Sharma Debi, retired IAS officer S S Channi also found mention.

Former Congress MLA Kewal Dhillon’s name cropped up from both Ludhiana and Sangrur. Dhillon, a BJP core committee member, had unsuccessfully fought the Sangrur bypoll on a BJP ticket in June 2022. Arvind Khanna found mention in the Ludhiana and Sangrur lists. The former Congress MLA had unsuccessfully contested the Sangrur Vidhan Sabha poll in 2022 as a BJP candidate.

Daman Bajwa, another former Congress leader who switched to the BJP during the 2022 polls, is among the list of candidates from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, along with senior BJP leader Harjeet Singh Grewal.

Some of the names proposed from Fatehgarh Sahib include Dr Deepak Jyoti, Dr Bhagwan Singh, Dr Naresh Chohan, and Kuldeep Singh Sidhu, while former Cabinet minister Surjeet Kumar Jayani’s name figures in the list from Ferozepur. The others named for the constituency are Shivraj Goyal, Rajesh Phutela, and Sukhwinder Singh Kaka Kamboj, besides former Congress MLA Raminder Awla. Interestingly, Awla is still with the Congress and speculations are rife that he may join the BJP soon.

Despite a buzz about a possible alliance between the BJP and SAD, Jakhar stated that the saffron party is prepared to contest all 13 seats in the state.

‘Every section of Punjab disillusioned’

“Every section of people in Punjab is disillusioned with the brazen unholy alliance between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress and they are waiting for the Model Code of Conduct to be announced to come out openly against the Bhagwant Mann-led regime’s arrogance and the undermining of Punjab’s prestige and autonomy at the altar of his political bosses in Delhi,” Jakhar said after the committee meeting.

“The people of Punjab have seen through this illegal partnership between the AAP and Congress, and they are ready to teach both parties a lesson in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is the only party suited to safeguard Punjab’s long-term interests with a solid return to the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

The last ten years have seen India grow at an incremental pace and the whole world is looking at us to build on the momentum, Jakhar said. “Punjab will vote for continuity at the Centre and will contribute the most by making the BJP win all seats,” the state BJP chief said while asking all party office-bearers and cadre to keep working harder and take Prime Minister’s message of inclusive development to every home.

Chief minister Mann’s “drama” of projecting himself as farmers’ advocate has further exposed his understanding of farming issues and has also enlightened farmers about the “AAP agenda to instigate and use our youngsters for political motive,” Jakhar said.