Ahead of nominations, 14 contenders for Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat
Ferozepur Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Ferzozepur at a glance
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, March 18, 2024: Ahead of nominations for the Lok Sabha elections in India, there are 14 contenders for the Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat. There are a total 9 constituencies in Ferozepur for Lok Sabha elections – Ferozepur City, Ferozepur Rural, Guruharsahai, Jalalabad, Fazilka, Abohar, Balluana, Malout and Muktsar – 4 in Ferozepur, 3 in Ferozepur and 2 on Muktsar districts.
Despite the political analysts' view that there is a vast ideological difference between the two groups INDIA block and BJP-NDA, this time the Lok Sabha elections are said to be a battle of ideologies and anyone can be a game changer especially when BJP has ruled for two terms at the Centre, Congress has geared up its machinery by forming the INDIA block, and so far as Punjab is concerned, 13 MP seats are negligible as compared to the UP and Bihar and one seat of Ferozepur is a local game.
In the past, Balram Jakhar (1980 Congress), Gurdial Singh Dhillon (1984 Congress), Dhyan Singh Mand (1989 SAD Amritsar), Mohan Singh Phalianwala (BSP 1992), Mohan Singh Phalianwala (BSP 1996), Zora Singh Mann (1998 SAD consequently for three terms 1999 and 2004), Sher Singh Ghubaya (2009 and 2014 SAD) and Sukhbir Singh Badal (2019 SAD).
Sukhbir Singh Badal had defeated in alliance with BJP, Congress candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya. But Sukhbir Singh Badal had very limited visits to his Ferozepur constituency but in the last year of his term, had become active and made use of his discretionary quota funds.
Presently, there are 14 contenders for the Lok Sabha elections from four major parties, 3 from SAD, 4 from AAP, 4 from Congress and 3 from BJP.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) - Including the sitting MP Sukhbir Singh Badal, the other two claimants are Rozi Barkandi and Nony Mann. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – Shaminder Singh Khinda, Chairman PAIC, Ranbir Singh Bhullar, MLA Ferozepur Urban, Dr.Baljit Kaur and Dr.Malkit Thind. Congress – Raminder Singh Awla, Kulbir Singh Zira, Parminder Singh Pinki and Sher Singh Ghubaya and Bhartiya Janata Party – Sukhwinder Singh Kaka Kamboj, Gurmit Singh Rana Sodhi and Surjit Singh Jyani.
After the independence, the Akali Dal has captured the MP seat seven times. In 1977, Mohinder Singh Sayanwala defeated Mohinder Singh Gill with a difference of 1,73,970 votes. In 1998, Zora Singh Mann defeated Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mohan Singh Phalianwala with 44,467 votes. In 1999, Zora Singh Mann again defeated Hans Raj Jossan with 14,861 votes. In 2004, Zora Singh Mann again won defeating Jagmit Singh Brar with 11,539 votes. In 2009, SAD played a community card and fielded Rai Sikh candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya, who defeated again Jagmit Singh Barar with 21,071 votes. Again in 2014, Sher Singh Ghubaya, showing the strength of his community defeated Sunil Jakhar with 31,420 votes.
Later on, after the election, Jakhar blamed Rana Sodhi for opposing him and now both are sailing in the same boat of the BJP. In the 2017 elections, after joining the Ghubaya in Congress, Sukhbir Singh Badal himself contested in 2019 and Congress fielded Sher Singh Ghubaya and was defeated with a huge margin of 1,98,850 votes.
Predicting specific strategies for an election as far in the future as 2024 is challenging, as it depends on a multitude of factors including political climate, economic conditions, social issues, and the performance of political parties. However, voters typically consider factors such as party manifesto, candidate credibility, track record of the party in power, and local issues when deciding how to vote. They may also be influenced by broader national issues, regional sentiments, and alliances between parties.
Now, the Election Commission has announced the dates and Punjab polling is on the first of June, all the political parties have sufficient time to allure the voters with promises, as usual. It is very difficult to have a claim by any of the parties. However, the position will be cleared, once the final candidates are announced by the major political parties and it is to be seen which ideologies are adopted by them, to establish their claim and make a win-win situation.