Mand area cries for attention

Aparna Banerji

The 550th Parkash Purb in 2018 saw scores of projects and widespread development in Sultanpur Lodhi. A traditional Shiromani Akali Dal stronghold, it has been won by the Congress for the past two elections.

The constituency got an impressive new bus stand, beautification of river/Bein banks, road and street projects and a slew of more projects but many await completion. However, the vulnerable Mand area in the same constituency has been crying for attention. Plagued by floods, it has been causing huge losses to local farmers.

Jaswant Singh, a local resident, said: “There was a serious problem regarding garbage disposal at Sultanpur Lodhi, which was eventually addressed. The dump has been moved to a designated spot outside the city. The constituency has seen development in the past years. We now have the state-of-the-art bus stand and better civic amenities.”

Past trend

An Akali bastion since 1977, the Congress has won the seat only thrice (in 1992, 2012 and 2017), while the Akali Dal won it six times. Navtej Singh Cheema of Congress won the seat both times. This seat remains a bone of contention within the Congress.

Electorate strength

Total voters 1,45,658

Male 77,245

Female 68411

Third gender 2