Constituency watch: Sultanpur Lodhi

By Deepkamal Kaur

In the coming Assembly election, Sultanpur Lodhi has perhaps become a very hot seat ever since Punjab minister Rana Gurjeet Singh announced that his son Inder Partap Singh would contest from here against the sitting MLA and official candidate Navtej Cheema. Considered a Panthic seat, the alleged improper use of hundreds of crores of rupees by the state government here ahead of the 550th Guru Nanak Parkash Purb, too, has become a issue here. Allegations and counter-allegations between the minister and MLA have become a routine in these elections even as six candidates are already in fray from here:

Navtej Cheema

Party: Congress
Age: 47 years
Qualification: Graduate

Background: He is a two-time MLA having won in 2012 and 2017. He had lost in 2007. His father Gurmail Singh also contested from this constituency twice. He lost in in 1985 and but managed to win in 1992. He hails from Bussowal village in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district. He follows Namdhari sect.

Priorities:
1. To complete smart city work
2. To get Pind Baba Nanak Da project started
3. To get a hospital and a degree college in Sultanpur Lodhi

Capt Harminder Singh

Party: Shiromani Akali Dal
Age: 69 years
Qualification: Class X
Background: He joined the Army right after his schooling and served from 1972-77. Though settled in Jalandhar, he hails from Nasirpur village of Sultanpur Lodhi. In Congress, he was DCC Jalandhar Rural chief and later became Chairman of Milkfed Punjab. A leader from Kamboj community that dominates the area, he joined SAD two months ago.
Priorities:
1. To improve law and order, build trust in masses over police functioning
2. To improve medical facilities
3. To set up new college

Sajjan Singh Cheema

Party: Aam Aadmi Party

Age: 64

Qualification: Graduate

Background: He took retirement from Punjab Police to join the AAP and contested poll in 2017 from this seat unsuccessfully. He moved to SAD in April 2019 and rejoined AAP again in June 2021. He has been the captain of the Indian basketball team and is an Arjuna awardee. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award.

Priorities:

1. To put an end to lawlessness
2. To get temporary river bandhs repaired annually
3. To start sugar mill in mand area

Jugrajpal Singh Shahi

Party: SAD (Sanyukt)
Age: 58
Qualification: MA (Punjabi)
Background: He has served as Youth Akali Dal president for 21 years and its spokesperson for seven years. He then moved to the Congress. He has been the secretary of Punjab Mandi Board from 2018-21 in Sultanpur Lodhi. He hails from Nurpur village of Sultanpur Lodhi and joined SAD (Sanyukt) last week.
Priorities:
1. To bring in a PG-level govt college
2. To set up a multi-specialty hospital
3. To raise level of govt schools with provision of regular staff

Rana Inder Partap Singh

Party: Independent
Age: 41 years
Qualification: MBA Background: He is the elder son of minister Rana Gurjeet Singh. He is MD, Rana Sugar Ltd. He has been supporting his father in elections since 2002. He has faced an ED inquiry into alleged FEMA case in January 2018. But he has not been summoned ever since. This is his first electoral contest.
Priorities:
1. To make the farmers entrepreneurs
2. To set up a wholesale vegetable mandi
3. To start CSR projects in health by inviting visiting docs

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