Astute Patiala voters keep all options open

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 7

Going by the size of gatherings, it would seem that Preneet Kaur, the Congress candidate in Patiala and wife of CM Capt Amarinder Singh, has the edge over her rivals. But speak to the people at the gatherings, and most will respond: “There are some good candidates in the fray. We are keeping our options open”.

In this Congress citadel, Preneet Kaur does not seem as strong as she was in 2009, primarily owing to the  anti-incumbency sentiment against the local leadership. Many of her confidantes do not have a rapport with local residents and fellow Congress men within the party. 

“The Congress government in Punjab has launched development works in the city. If voted to power at the Centre, we will ensure interest-free loans to the youth seeking employment abroad as well as tackle the agrarian crisis,” Preneet tells the crowds. Having been trounced by Dr Dharamvira Gandhi in 2009 when she was Minister of State for External Affairs, political observers say she may win with a narrow margin. 

Undaunted, her opponents are working hard to outdo her. “A last-minute voter swing st-moment voter swing in favour of Dr Gandhi of the Punjab Ekta Party, could spell doom for the Congress. Also, dera votes are a big factor”, they say. Dr Gandhi, a cardiologist, who won the seat as AAP candidate ticket in 2014, addresses small gatherings. He has earned the goodwill and respect of both rural and urban voters. With only a few security personnel accompanying him, he greets all with a warm smile. To fund his campaign, voters contribute funds ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 2,000.

“I have not met him. All I know is that there is no politician like him. As a MP, he was always accessible to the people. Responsive too. He never declined funds for a genuine cause”, says JS Tiwana, a farmer from Raungla villager. Mona, who is in-charge of Marori High School adopted by Dr Gandhi, says the MP has contributed towards the school significantly, providing benches for students.

“Our school may be the best-kept owing to Dr Gandhi’s efforts. Earlier, the 300-odd students would sit on cane mats, now they have benches. We have built two classrooms. Also, we were provided water purifiers by the MP”, she says. Gandhi’s popularity in villages is rankling his rivals. They fear he may emerge as the dark horse and sense an undercurrent in his favour. “I am and will remain a common man’s leader. I will not compromise on principles.The people of the constituency have the right to question me on my performance in the past five years”, he says. 

Targeting Preneet Kaur, SAD-BJP candidate Surjit Singh Rakhra, a former Cabinet Minister, promises to “throw out the royals, who are unapproachable”. He hails cross-border attacks by the Modi-led government while tearing into the Amarinder government for its “failure” to tackle the farm crisis and unemployment. “Only one man can take India forward. He is Narendra Modi. It is important to vote for him and ensure a majority for the NDA so that Punjab and its farmers get adequate funds”, he urges the voters. There is hardly any mention of development works.

In villages, Dr Gandhi may eat into Rakhra’s votes. Neglected for over a decade during the SAD-BJP tenure, the Congress promised the moon to Patiala voters during the 2017 Assembly elections. Despite the AAP wave in Malwa, the party won seven of the nine Assembly seats in the Patiala Lok Sabha constituency while two went to the SAD. The poll math clearly favours Preneet Kaur but the voters may not be that obliging these elections.

With the social media playing an active role and voters keeping their cards close to the chest, it could be anybody’s game. “The Congress is likely to suffer some setback in Nabha and Shutrana and may lead narrowly in Ghanaur, Samana and Patiala (Rural),” say poll pandits.