From CM to ex-CM, deputy CM to PPCC chief, it’s a battle of prestige in Punjab

Mann would also be closely watched for the performance in his home turf of Sangrur. He has been a two-time MP from Sangrur, in 2014 and 2019, winning the election with a landslide margin. The AAP, however, lost the bye-election in 2022 to Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann. The CM would like to win the seat back and has pinned his hope on his Cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer who is contesting from the seat this time.

For Channi, who has lost from the two assembly segments of Chamkaur Sahib and Bhandaur in 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, this Lok Sabha election would be litmus test for him. He is pitted against AAP nominee Pawan Kumar Tinu, SAD’s Mohinder Singh Kaypee and BJP candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku.

In Patiala, former two-term CM Captain Amarinder Singh’s sitting MP wife Preneet Kaur is trying her luck for the fifth time. She has been a four-time Congress MP but was suspended by the Congress for her anti-party activities. Later, she joined BJP and was nominated again from Patiala. She is locked in a contest against AAP’s Dr Balbir Singh, Congress’ Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and SAD’s NK Sharma. She is contesting for the first time on BJP ticket and her election, from erstwhile royal family’s bastion, will be a referendum on whether the electorate honours her decision of switching loyalties. This election also comes after Amarinder’s loss in Patiala Assembly segment in 2022.

Former deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal’s sitting MP wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal has also thrown her hat in the ring from Bathinda once again. For SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, who is not contesting this time, Bathinda would be most important constituency as the Akali Dal is looking for staging a comeback after having lost two successive Assembly elections in Punjab.

Similarly, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring is also taking on Congress “deserter” and sitting MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who is now contesting on BJP ticket. For the state party chief, winning the election is important, as Congress being the main Opposition is harping on anti-incumbency of the ruling AAP’s and are also playing of the ‘Bittu betrayer’ card.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is also locked in a key battle. He has been fielded in Gurdaspur and is taking on AAP’s Sherry Kalsi, SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema and BJP’s Dinesh Babbu. Gurdaspur is his home district and he represents Dera Baba Nanak segment. His losing from the seat could be a make or break situation for the veteran politician.