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No surprises in SAD’s first list
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 30
Taking a lead over the Congress, SAD president Parkash Singh Badal today announced the list of 62 candidates for the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 13. Keeping his faith, by and large, in his old associates, Mr Badal renominated them to fight the electoral battle.

He has inducted only a few new faces such as Mr Lakhbir Singh Lodhi Nagal in Qadian Assembly segment, Mr Jagbir Singh Brar in Jalandhar cantonment, Mr Harish Rai Dhanda in Ludhiana South, Mr Jagjivan Singh Khirinia in Samrala and Mr Harpreet Singh Kotbhai.

Mr Badal will contest from his old Lambi constituency. Mr Surjit Singh Kohli has been pitted against the Chief Minster, Capt Amarinder Singh, in Patiala. Mr Gaganjit Singh Barnala, son of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, former Chief Minister, Punjab, has been renominated from Dhuri. Mr Badal has accommodated wards of certain senior Akali leaders while allocating party ticket.

Today’s list includes 16 Dalits, 11 youngsters, three women, one Muslim and two Hindus. As many as 38 of them are graduates or have higher qualification.

Among the experienced war horses are Capt Kanwaljit Singh from Banur, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhundar from Sardulgarh, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura from Naushehra Panuan, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal from Panj Graian, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal from Gidderbaha, Dr Upinderjit Kaur from Sultanpur Lodhi, Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon from Patti and Mr Harmel Singh Tohra from Dakala and Bibi Jagir Kaur from Bholath.

Mr Badal said the list of remaining candidates would be announced soon. He said the issue of sharing seats with the BJP had been almost settled and it would be announced soon.

The BJP is insisting for 23 seats while the SAD is prepared to give it 22 seats. The SAD wanted to take Garhshankar seat from the BJP.

He did not rule out the possibility of tying up with some other groups.

The following his the list of candidates: Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike from Attari, Mr Amarpal Singh Boni from Ajnala, Mr Manjinder Singh Kang from Beas, Mr Bikram Singh Majithia from Majitha, Mr Veer Singh Lopoke from Raja Sansi, Dr Dalbir Singh from Verka, Mr Gura Singh Tungwali from Nathana, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka from Rampura Phul and Mr Mantar Singh Brar from Kotkapura.

Mr Gurtej Singh Ghuriana from Balluana, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon from Ferozepur Cantonement, Mr Paramjit Singh from Guru Har Sahai, Mr Hari Singh Zira from Zira, Mr Sucha Singh Langah from Dhariwal, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon from Fatehgarh Churian, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan from Kahnuwan and Capt Balbir Singh Bath from Sri Hargobindpur.

Mr Des Raj Dhugga from Gardhiwala, Mr Sohan Singh Thandal from Mahilpur, Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh from Sham Churasi, Mr Balbir Singh Miani from Tanda , Mr Sarbjit Singh Makkar from Adampur, Mr Ajit Singh Kohar from Lohian, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur from Phillaur, Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal from Kum Kalan and Mr Heera Singh Gabarian from Ludhiana Rural.

Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha from Quilla Raipur, Mr Ranjit Singh Talwandi from Raikot, Mr Jagjivan Singh Khirnia from Samrala, Mr Harbant Singh Datewas from Budhlada, Mr Jagdeep Singh Nakai from Joga and Mr Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh from Mansa,

Mr Seetal Singh from Dharamkot, Mr Tota Singh from Moga, Chaudhary Nand Lal from Balachaur, Mr Mohal Lal from Banga, Raja Narinder Singh from Nabha, Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra from Samana, Bibi Satwant Kaur Sandhu from Chamkaur Sahib, Mr Malkiat Singh Keetu from Barnala, Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas from Bhadaur, Mr Gobind Singh Longowal from Dhanaula, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla from Sherpur, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa from Sunam and Mr Abdul Gaffar from Malerkotla.