Battle of ballot unfolds today

Tribune News Service
Bathinda, May 22

The stage is set for the counting of votes at the high-profile Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency which witnessed an exciting battle of ballots between two-time SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress’ Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Tight security arrangements have been made at both counting centres in the city. As per an Election Commission release, the counting of votes of Bathinda (Urban), Lambi and Talwandi Sabo Assembly segments will take place at the Institute of Hotel Management. The counting of votes of Bathinda (Rural), Bhucho Mandi and Maur Assembly segments will be held at PESCO Vocational Training Institute.

Similarly, the counting of votes of Mansa, Sardulgarh and Budhlada Assembly constituencies will take place at Nehru Memorial College in Mansa.

Meanwhile, both SAD and Congress supporters are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping for the best on Thursday. Political observers are also expected a close contest between Harsimrat and Raja Warring.

In 2009, Harsimrat had defeated Congress’ Raninder Singh by 1.2 lakh votes, though her victory margin dipped drastically in the 2014 polls when she defeated Manpreet Badal by over 19,000 votes.

This time, Punjab Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira and AAP’s Talwandi Sabo MLA Baljinder Kaur are among other candidates who are in the fray.

Past record

• In 2009, Harsimrat had defeated Congress' Raninder Singh by 1.2 lakh votes, though her victory margin dipped drastically in the 2014 polls when she defeated Manpreet Badal by over 19,000 votes. 
• This time, Punjab Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Aam Aadmi Party’s Talwandi Sabo MLA Baljinder Kaur are among other candidates who are in the fray.