FEROZEPUR RURAL- No jobs, youth disillusioned

Anirudh Gupta

The Ferozepur Rural segment was carved out following the delimitation in 2012 which included a major chunk of villages which were hitherto part of Ferozepur City and Cantonment areas.

Predominantly a rural segment, the Akalis first grabbed this seat during in a nail-biting contest in 2012 when SAD candidate Joginder Singh Jindu defeated the Congress candidate Satkar Kaur Gehri by a margin of just 107 votes. Picked up by Rahul Gandhi as a youth leader, Satkar Kaur bounced back and defeated Jindu in 2017.

The segment, which comprises small townships like Mamdot, Mudki, Ferozeshah and Talwandi Bhai, has not seen much in terms of infrastructural development despite tall claims by parties. The youth of the area seem to be disillusioned in the absence of any job avenues. Besides, illegal sand mining and drug abuse have been the major concerns for the local populace. The residents are seemingly not much amused with the functioning of local MLA who has been mostly represented by her husband Jasmel Singh Laddi Gehri at most of the forums. There are speculations regarding the party exploring more options for this segment and the sitting MLA being moved to another constituency. Caste factors also play an important role in the outcome of the polls here.

PAST TREND

The segment came into being in 2012 and has been represented by the SAD and Congress alternatively. In 2012, SAD candidate Joginder Singh Jindu beat Congress candidate Satkar Kaur Gehri by 107 votes. In 2012, Satkar Kaur defeated Jindu by 21,416 votes.

HOW IT VOTED IN 2017 ELECTIONS

Winner : Satkar Kaur Gehri

Votes polled – 71,073

Runners up – Joginder Singh Jindu

Votes polled – 49,657

ELECTORATE STRENGTH

Total Number of Voters – 1,91,083

Male- 1,00,357

Female- 90,721

Other – 5

LOCAL’S KEY DEMANDS

– Renovation of historic memorials

– End to illegal sand mining

– Arrest of drug peddlers

– Construction of PGI satellite centre