CHANDIGARH: Even though much color is missing from the poll arena in the absence of many senior Akali Leaders because their boycott, there are still quite few interesting contests involving political stalwarts in the Northern State of Punjab.
With barely five days to go before the polling, battle lines are clearly defined here. Congress I is ‘contesting all the 13 parliamentary Constituencies, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 12and the BJP has to Contestants among the total of 81.
The Akali Dal (Kabul) with four candidates, Janata Dal five, CPI three and CPM one are in the process of reaching total seat adjustment,
In the assembly seats, Congress has candidates on 115 seats, BSP ‘2.and BIP64, Akali Dal (Kabul) with 61 candidates, Janata Dal 1, CPI 24 and CPM 17 have agreed {0 put up a joint front.
The Akali Dal (Kabul) Chairman of the Parliamentary board and an aspirant for Chief Minister ship, Capt. Amarinder Singh, and Congress I candidate DS. Daleke have already been declared elected opposed from Samana and Tam Taran Constituencies Respectively.
‘Among the most interesting ‘contests for the Lok Sabha will be that in Amritsar which will witness ‘a clash of Titans as the BJP national Vice President, Dr. Baldev Pardash, battles it out with the former AICC(I) General Secretary ‘and Former Member of Parliament, RL. Bhatia.
In the neighboring Gurdaspur, Congress (I) candidate Sudhbans Daur Bhinder would try wo make it hayrick and in Tarn Taran Surinder Singh, son of tie former chief Minister Pratap Singh Kairon is contesting on Congress I ticket.
The veteran Congress I lead ‘and editor of a language daily, Yash Pal, faces stiff opposition from the BJP Candidate, Jugal Kishore in Jalandhar. The constituency last time returned former Union Minister Devi Lal, for the ‘second place in 1989 polls from Ferozepur and is going all out this time this is the home constituency and the hunting ground to the Akali leader Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.
At Ferozepur, the Congress has its former Minister Santokh Singh Randhawa, pitted agains eight other candidates.
In assembly segments, one of the most keen contests will be in Banu (Patiala District) between the Akal Dal (Kabul) Stalwart and former Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh ‘and Congress leader MS. Gill.
Former State Minister Narinder ‘Singh of the Nabha Royal Family is contesting under the Akali Dal (Kabul) ticket from Nabha.
In the Ludhiana Assembly Constituencies there would be close ‘contests between the Congress I and BJP Candidates.
At Muktsar, the former Haryana Governor, Mr. Harcharan Singh Brar is locked in a multicolored contest. Another very close contest is expected at Gurdaspur where Congress I, Akali Dal (Kabul) BSP, Janata Dal and BJP have.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 28, 1992
