Constituency profile-Banking on resumption of trade

Attari-SC

Neeraj Bagga

Residents of this border seat are pinning their hopes on the resumption of bilateral trade with Pakistan through the Integrated Check Post for economic growth of the area. It will generate employment opportunities and in turn curb drug addiction, which is rampant in the region, they feel.

Further, a shuttle service between historic sites such as Pull Kankari and Samadh of General Sham Singh Attariwala to the city will boost tourism.

The local mini primary health centre (PHC) was proposed to be elevated to a full-fledged PHC but it has only remained on paper. With no regular doctor at the centre, residents demand adequate staff at the facility.

Since 1985, Attari has largely been a Panthic constituency, with 1992 and 2017 elections as exceptions. With the SAD tying up with the BSP and the Congress banking on Dalit CM Charanjit Singh Channi, keen contest is on the cards in the reserved seat this time.

Congress MLA Tarsem Singh DC is facing competition from Ajaypal Singh Randhawa for the party ticket. Randhawa has been actively holding meetings and interacting with the electorate. He had quit the post of District Mandi Officer, Tarn Taran, to protest the three farm laws last year.

PAST TREND:

The Assembly used to be the stronghold of the Left due to its proximity to Chheharta, an erstwhile textile hub that was once compared to UK’s Manchester. SAD’s Tara Singh ended the Left control in 1985. Akali leader Gulzar Singh Ranike won the previous editions of the Assembly elections in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 from the constituency.

ELECTORATE STRENGTH

TOTAL VOTERS 1,83,204

MALE 98,592

FEMALE 84,607

THIRD GENDER 5

HOW IT VOTED IN 2017 ELECTIONS

Won Tarsem Singh DC Congress 55,335

Lost Gulzar Singh Ranike SAD 45,133

LOCAL’S KEY DEMANDS

* Resumption of India-Pak trade

* Quality health services

* Adequate teachers at govt schools

* Bus service connecting tourist sites