Political rivalries revived, voters take note

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 14

Political rivalries seem to have revived in Amritsar Central and Amritsar West constituencies, as traditional parties field candidates who were pitted against one another in 2012. Amritsar Central will see Congress’s Om Prakash Soni battling it out against BJP’s Tarun Chugh, who lost out by a margin of 12,793 votes in 2012. The constituency that comprises of commercial and residential areas inside walled city and has nearly 1.75 lakh voters, also have alternatives in AAP’s Dr Ajay Gupta and Apna Punjab Party’s young first-timer Keshav Kohli. 

While the two veteran politicos, Chugh and Soni, come with a strong lobby, development and their past performance will definitely play a big role. While the two political heavyweights will be looking to impress young voters, accessibility and their individual standing in their respective parties will definitely be one of the considering factors for the voters. 

Similarly, Amritsar West will once again see BJP’s Rakesh Gill and Congress’s Dr Rajkumar Verka have been pitted against each other. Verka had won by a margin of 11, 591 votes, while Gill trailed on the second spot. How the anti-incumbency and relative new comer fielded by AAP in this constituency, Balwinder Singh Sahota, might just be able shake things up a little, will only make the contest interesting. 

The two congress candidates were among the 42 MLA”s , who had resigned after SC decision on SYL canal. Bothe constituencies face major developmental issues, regarding civic amenities, clean drinking water supply and garbage management. 

Voter’s speak: Amritsar Central

“Soni, while serving his term as city’s mayor, had initiated a lot of development work. Also, the demonetization factor might just work against the BJP candidates.  Though presence of AAP cannot be denied, but the two traditional rivals from BJP and Congress will definitely be considered as major contenders in the electoral battle,” says Rameshanand Saraswati, a resident of Shakti Nagar and voter from Amritsar Central constituency. 

“Political heavyweights always have an edge over the new comers as they come with a lot of lobbying sand support. But since this time voters will also take note of the past performances, only face value might not just get you the votes,” says Tarun Sharma, 20, engineering student and first time voter from Amritsar central.

Voter’s Speak: Amritsar West

“Dr Rajkumar Verka, in his capacity as the vice chairman of national commission for scheduled caste, has a better work profile than the two other contenders. But this time, presence of third alternative will definitely put some dent in the vote share of the traditional candidates,” says Prof Kulwinder Singh, retired academician and voter from Khandwala. 

“Voters have already estimated the worth of the traditional candidates and rivals Dr Rajkumar Verka and Rakesh Gill in previous polls. Whether they have delivered in what they promised will matter a lot while casting vote. Face value does not matter if the candidates cannot deliver their promises,” says Mamta Kumari, a teacher from Kot Khalsa.