Ludhiana Central: Multi-cornered contest in Congress citadel

Tribune News Service

Nitin Jain

Ludhiana, January 23

Ludhiana Central, which became an independent Assembly constituency following delimitation in 2009, has remained a bastion of the ruling Congress for the past two elections held here so far.

From a direct contest in 2012 and a triangular fight in 2017, this one of the total 14 Assembly seats in the state's biggest and largest Ludhiana district, in terms of area and population, which sends almost 12 per cent of the total 117 members to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, is in for a multi-cornered contest this time with the entry of the main Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with its new alliance partner Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the newly-formed two farmers' outfits Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM), comprising 19 farm unions, including the one led by Balbir Singh Rajewal, and Sanyukt Sangharsh Party (SSP), formed by a Haryana farm leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, which have formed an alliance.

While the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with its new allies former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) led by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, have retained their previous candidates sitting MLA Surinder Kumar Dawar and Gurdev Sharma Debi, who were runner-up in 2017, respectively, the AAP, the SAD-BSP combine and the SSM-SSP alliance have fielded new faces Ashok Pappi Prashar and Pritpal Singh Pali, president of local Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, and Shivam Arora, respectively, for this seat, which was part of Ludhiana (East) Assembly constituency, before being carved out as an independent segment.

Dawar, 70, who before being elected twice consecutively from here in 2012 and 2017, and had represented Ludhiana (East) seat in 2002, said he was contesting his fifth election on the basis of his performance and development. He remained Chief Parliamentary Secretary from 2005 to 2007. He had lost his second election from Ludhiana (East) in 2007.

Debi, 62, was highlighting achievements of the BJP-led government at the Centre and was seeking votes to help develop "New Punjab".

Prashar, 57, who had quit the Congress to join the AAP for the second time in October last, was seeking votes for bringing about a change and ensuring all-round development of the constituency. He had unsuccessfully contested as Congress candidate from Ludhiana (South) in 2012 and had finished third.

Having served as PPCC general secretary and constituency in-charge, Prashar, along with his five-time councillor brother Rakesh Prashar had also joined the AAP in 2016, but returned to the Congress after Prashar was denied the AAP ticket in 2017 polls. His brother Rakesh, along with his supporters, also joined the AAP a few days ago.

Pali, who had recently embroiled in a controversy over alleged derogatory remarks against a particular community, was seeking votes against what he alleged as "failure" of the successive rulers, and "achievements" of the previous SAD government.

Arora was buoyant over the success of farmers in getting the controversial farm laws withdrawn. He was promising welfare of all sections of society, especially farmers and traders, if the SSM was voted to power.

In 2017, Dawar had defeated Debi by a margin of 20,480, by polling 47,871 votes, which accounted for 46.96 per cent vote share, against 27,391 votes, comprising 26.87 per cent of the total polled votes, secured by Debi.

The nominee of Lok Insaaf Party (LIP), which had an alliance with the AAP in 2017, In 2012, Dawar had trounced BJP's Satpal Gosain to win from here.

PUNJAB POLL 2022

The Winner

Surinder Kumar Dawar (Congress): 2012, 2017

In 2017, Dawar defeated Gurdev Sharma Debi by a margin of 20,480, by polling 47,871 votes, which accounted for 46.96 per cent vote share, against 27,391 votes, comprising 26.87 per cent of the total polled votes, secured by Debi. In 2012, Dawar had trounced BJP’s Satpal Gosain to win from here. Dawar had represented Ludhiana (East) seat in 2002. He remained Chief Parliamentary Secretary from 2005 to 2007. He had lost his second election from Ludhiana (East) in 2007.

My work and development of the constituency, especially in the field of education, will ensure my fourth victory this time. The Congress and people of my area have reposed faith in me. — Surinder Kumar Dawar, Congress MLA

We are seeking votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and works done by him. People will vote for the BJP to ensure all-round development of the state this time. — Gurdev Sharma Debi, BJP

People are fed up with traditional parties. They are vying for a change. We will fulfil aspirations of the people, if voted to power, this time in the ensuing Assembly elections. — Ashok Pappi Prashar, AAP

We are seeking votes on the basis of 10-year rule of the SAD in Punjab. People have seen difference in the past five years of the Congress regime and will bring back the SAD this time. — Pritpal Singh Pali, SAD-BSP

Voters will throw out all political parties and vote for the SSM to form a pro-people government this time. We will ensure welfare of all in society. — Shivam Arora, SSM

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