Intense battle looms in Kalanwali constituency; Shishpal, Balkaur, Desujodha, Gurtej in fray

Sirsa, August 24

As Haryana prepares for its upcoming Assembly elections, the Kalanwali (reserved) constituency is becoming a major battleground. The seat, previously a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with support from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), is now drawing intense interest from candidates across multiple parties. The race is shaping up to be a fierce contest among contenders of the Congress, BJP and INLD.

Historically, Kalanwali was a stronghold of the SAD because it is located near the Punjab border. SAD candidates won twice in the previous three Assembly elections with the support of INLD. The constituency, which was part of the Rori Assembly segment before 2009, is a rural area predominantly inhabited by Sikhs and Punjabis. Drug addiction remains a serious issue in the region.

In the current election cycle, Shishpal Keharwala, the sitting MLA from the Congress, is seen as a leading candidate. Despite competition from 14 other aspirants within the Congress party, Keharwala’s strong local support makes him a likely candidate for the party’s ticket.

On the other hand, Balkaur Singh, who joined the BJP in 2019 after winning in 2014 under the SAD-INLD alliance, is determined to reclaim his seat. Despite rumours of a strained relationship with the BJP leadership, Singh is actively campaigning for the ticket, bolstered by his connection with former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. He faces competition from Rajendra Desujodha, who recently joined the BJP and is also seeking a party nomination.

Adding another layer to the contest is Gurtej Singh, the son of the late INLD veteran Budh Singh Sukhchain. Gurtej retired from his government job a year ago to enter politics, a move seen as a strategy to secure the INLD ticket. His early retirement and background in the region give him a strong base of support.

With these three prominent figures vying for the Kalanwali seat, the 2024 elections promise to be highly competitive. Each candidate is employing various strategies to secure their party’s nomination, making the final outcome likely dependent on strategic alliances and last-minute negotiations. As a result, Kalanwali is expected to be one of the most closely watched constituencies in the upcoming elections.