Harsimrat likely to contest from Bathinda

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service
Badal (Muktsar), March 23

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday held meetings with party workers from the Bhucho Assembly constituency at her residence here, hinting that she may contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Bathinda parliamentary constituency. 

Notably, she is scheduled to hold similar meetings with party workers from the Mansa Assembly constituency on Sunday as well. Rumours are rife that she might contest from the Ferozepur parliamentary constituency, which is considered a comparatively “safe” seat for the SAD.

Sources in the party said five-back-to-back meetings were held on Saturday at the Badals’ residence where nearly 20-30 SAD workers were present in each round. They said two party workers from each village were called for the meetings.

Talking to The Tribune, a SAD leader said, “Biba ji (Harsimrat) hinted that she may contest from Bathinda, though she did not clear the air on Saturday. She first asked about the poll prospects and then told all of us to inform the public that the Congress government in the state was derailing the start of the AIIMS Bathinda for political reasons. Further, she told us to ask the masses what Sukhpal Khaira can offer to them.”

Meanwhile, another SAD leader said Harsimrat also asked them about the base and support of AAP in villages. “The election is approaching fast as less than even two months are left now. Meetings can’t be held for just getting feedback from party workers. It is now almost clear that she will contest the elections from Bathinda. On Saturday, she did not even tour anywhere and held meetings whole day. We are happy that she is interested to contest again from Bathinda. We will work hard for next almost two months to ensure her victory in Bathinda,” he said. 

Targets CM for his oath on drugs 

In a Facebook post, Harsimrat targeted Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for his pledge to wipe out the drugs menace from the state within four weeks of coming to power. 

Harsimrat wrote, “Bowing towards Damdama Sahib with ‘Gutka Sahib’ in hand, you took an oath to wipe out the menace of drugs within four weeks of coming to power. To your luck, innocent voters of Punjab got swayed by your bunch of luscious promises and gave you the chance to rule the state with high hopes. But Captain Amarinder Singh Ji will you now please show the courage to admit that you have failed pathetically in your so-called mission 'war on drugs' as your own people in the Congress party are neck-deep in this illegal trade?”

She further wrote, “The recent arrest of a woman office-bearer of your party in Bathinda with heroin simply endorses the fact that ‘Maharaja Sahib’ you have lost the battle, not only on administrative but also on moral grounds. If I am not incorrect, it is for the first time in the state that a DGP is accusing another DGP of patronising the drug mafia that too in the honourable High Court. Further adding insult to your injury, one of your own party MLAs openly exposed the nexus between police and drug peddlers that too in full public view during a government function held at Ferozepur. Going by the trail of incidents, which are countless in number, I would simply suggest you to come out of deep slumber and feel the pain of those ill-fated families whose members are losing lives to this unchecked flow of drugs in Punjab. And, in case you are unable to do so, better admit your failure and resign, otherwise also you have declared that 2017 was the last battle of your political career.”