Impressive win by SAD chief

Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, May 23 

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal proved his might by winning this seat with a heavy margin of over 1,98,850 votes. Sukhbir garnered 6,33,427 votes in comparison to 4,34,577 secured by his nearest rival Sher Singh Ghubaya of the Congress. 

Ghubaya had won this seat during the last two terms in 2009 and 2014 as SAD candidate with the backing of the Rai Sikh community. 

On the losing spree since 1985, the Congress failed to break the jinx even as it inducted Ghubaya just ahead of the elections and fielded him despite opposition from its leaders. No wonder, the gamble failed to pay off due to lack of support from its cadre. Not only the Congress tasted the defeat once again, the margin of loss is huge. 

Congress insiders feel that lack of unity among the party cadre is to blame. With just two days left in the polling, an old warhorse of the Congress, Bal Mukand Sharma, who had represented Ferozepur in Vidhan Sabha for five terms, extended support to Sukhbir.

Sukhbir got maximum lead from Balluana (41,620), followed by Jalalabad (30,913) and Fazilka (29,011). Sukhbir also managed a lead of 26,429 from Abohar, 16,542 Ferozepur Rural, 8,277 Muktsar and 7,585 in Guruharsahai. 

Ghubaya’s “poor performance” during the previous two terms in Parliament and his apparent “disconnect” with the electorate also cost him dear. On the other hand, Sukhbir based his campaign on issues relating to development of the constituency. Talking to the media, Sukhbir said he would deliver what he had promised to the people of Ferozepur.

Cong fails to break jinx  

On losing spree since 1985, the Congress has failed to break the jinx even as it inducted Ghubaya just ahead of the elections and fielded him despite opposition from its leaders. No wonder, the gamble failed to pay off due to lack of support from its cadre