1/4th of Shiromani Akali Dal nominees from political families

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 16

From father-son duo to brothers-in-law, sons-in-law besides spouses, the Shiromani Akali Dal is banking on the power of political families and relations in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Pparty’s decision

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I am contesting as per the demands of the party. I think it is beneficial if one family contests from adjoining seats. It helps politically and logistically. — Prem Singh Chandumajra, SAD Leader

Though nearly one-third of the candidates are young and fresh faces, the party is having “strong confidence on the winnability of the family candidates”, says a senior leader.

More than one-fourth of the candidates — 21 out of the 93 candidates declared so far by the party from its quota of 97 seats — belong to political families.

The Badals lead the arena of dynastic politics. Five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is likely to contest from Lambi. His son and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal is contesting from Jalalabad. Sukhbir’s brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia is the party’s nominee from Majitha. Adesh Pratap Kairon, son-in-law of Parkash Singh Badal, is the party’s candidate from Patti. Other relatives of the Badals in the fray include Jagmeet Brar and Janmeja Singh Sekhon.

Former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra has entered the state politics this time and named the party candidate from Ghanaur in Patiala. His son Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra is contesting from the adjoining Sanaur seat. Former minister Tota Singh and his son Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar are contesting from Dharamkot and Moga seats, respectively. Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder has put up his son Dilraj Singh Bhunder in the fray from Sardulgarh.

Former Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon’s son Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon is the party’s nominee from Dera Baba Nanak. Youth Akali Dal senior leader Yadwinder Singh Yadu’s wife Jasdeep Kaur is contesting from the Khanna seat.