The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday unveiled its candidates for six additional Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab, marking a significant move ahead of the upcoming elections.
Former Congress Turncoat MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee was formally inducted into the SAD during a ceremony in Jalandhar, where he was welcomed by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Kaypee, donning a siropa, joined the party amidst cheers and applause.
Sukhbir Singh Badal also declared that his wife and sitting MP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, will represent the party in Bathinda. The decision comes as no surprise, as Harsimrat has been an influential figure in the constituency.
In Ferozepur, the seat currently held by Sukhbir Singh Badal, the party has nominated Nardev Singh Bobby Mann as its candidate. Sukhbir had previously announced his decision not to contest the Lok Sabha elections this time around.
For the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, Ranjit Singh Dhillon has been selected as the party’s representative. Meanwhile, Kaypee, the new entrant to the SAD, will contest from the Dalit-dominated Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat.
Former cabinet minister Sohan Singh Thandal has been chosen to represent the party in Hoshiarpur, another reserved parliamentary constituency in the Doaba region. Additionally, Hardeep Singh Saini, a former deputy mayor of Chandigarh, will be the SAD’s candidate from Chandigarh.
With these latest announcements, the SAD has now declared candidates for 12 out of the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab. Sukhbir Singh Badal assured that the candidate for Khadoor Sahib will be announced shortly.
In a statement, Sukhbir Singh Badal emphasized the party’s commitment to unity and condemned national parties for engaging in divisive politics. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent controversial remarks, stating, “Being a PM, Modi should refrain from making such statements. This country does not belong to a particular community. I condemn the remarks. He should learn from (former CM and SAD patriarch) Parkash Singh Badal on how to take all communities along while maintaining communal harmony.”
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab promise to be closely contested, with the SAD aiming to secure a strong foothold in the region.