Independents set to challenge major parties in Pundri

The Pundri Assembly segment in Kaithal district is shaping up to be a tough battleground for national parties –BJP, Congress, AAP with several political heavyweights contesting as Independent candidates who are likely to upset the prospects of the candidates of national parties in the Assembly elections. Two former MLAs are contesting as Independents, while two former MLAs are contesting on political parties’ tickets.

The BJP has fielded a fresher in an electoral battle at Assembly level –Satpal Jamba; the Congress has imposed confidence in former MLA Sultan Singh Jadola; AAP has fielded former MLA Narender Sharma from this seat. Former MLA Randhir Singh Gollen, and other prominent figures like former Congress leader Satvir Bhana; former two-time MLA Dinesh Kaushik who quit BJP; Sajjan Singh Dhull and others are among the independent candidates. Dhull had contested in 2005 on a Congress ticket at Pai constituency, which was later merged into Pundri, Kalayat and Kaithal constituencies. He had contested on an INLD ticket at Pundri seat, but failed to taste victory.

Independent candidates Gollen, Bhana and Kaushik and AAP candidate Narender Sharma are once again facing each other in this election after five years. They had contested the 2019 election against each other. Bhana had fought on a Congress ticket, Gollen had won the election.

As per political analysts, the Independents hold significant influence in the Pundri segment, where voters have a history of electing independent candidates. The Pundri constituency has a unique voting pattern, having elected independent candidates in seven of the 13 elections held so far. Since 1996, Pundri has consistently chosen Independents in six consecutive elections. The Congress has won this seat four times, while the Janata Party and Lok Dal have each claimed victory once.

All the candidates are claiming to develop Pundri in all aspects. Gollen, who had supported the Congress during the last Lok Sabha election, decided to run independently after being denied a Congress ticket. “I will continue to develop the Pundri segment in the five years,” said Gollen.

Former MLA Kaushik, who has contested five elections, is back in the fray as an Independent after recently quitting the BJP. He previously served as an Independent MLA in 2005 and 2014. Kaushik’s campaign focuses on issues like unemployment, industrial development, and ensuring better implementation of government funds in Pundri. “My focus will be generating job opportunities, so that migration of youth to abroad can be stopped. I will ensure proper utilization of funds along with providing better facilities to people,” said Kaushik. “If voted to power, I will try my best to bring the status of sub-division to Pundri, which is a long standing demand,” Kaushik maintained.

Satvir Bhana is contesting his third election after contesting as an Independent in 2014 and on a Congress ticket in 2019. His campaign is centred around development, including the long-standing demand for a new sub-division“My primary aim is to provide the status of sub-division to Pundri,” said Bhana.

Dhull emphasised the region’s lack of progress on key issues, including unemployment and economic development. He advocates for setting up manufacturing units to create jobs. AAP candidate Sharma, who won the seat in 1996 as an Independent said, “The constituency has been long neglected. I will develop it in all manner,” said Sharma.