Nephew in fray, stakes high for Gurmeet Singh Khuddian at native village

The stakes are high for Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian as his nephew Rupinder Singh Sidhu is in fray for the post of sarpanch from his native village Khuddian Gulab Singh. This village falls in the Lambi Assembly segment, which is represented by Khuddian.

Rupinder, 54, who studied till Class XII, had earlier served as president of the village’s cooperative society. He said, “My grandfather and Gurmeet Singh Khuddian’s father were real brothers. Thus, I am his nephew. He is supporting me and seeking votes in the village. My election symbol is a bucket. Out of eight members of the gram panchayat, one has been elected unopposed.”

Another candidate in poll fray is Sukhdarshan Singh Sidhu, alias Thana, who is a Class VIII pass out and owes allegiance to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

He said “I am seeking votes from the residents on the basis of development works done by the Badal family. Besides, I have always remained active in the village. The residents had held a meeting and forced me to contest the poll. Tractor is my election symbol.”

Sukhdarshan added, “If elected, I will improve condition of a colony made for the needy people. Besides, the village needs a drainage system and a senior secondary school. At present, students have to travel to Lambi after for higher studies after Class X. The village also needs bus facility.”

Ameet Singh Khuddian, son of the minister, said, “Rupinder is our close relative and our family is supporting him.”

A majority of walls in the village are dotted with the posters of these two candidates. There is no Congress-backed candidate for the post of sarpanch and both the candidates in fray are trying hard to impress upon the Congress activists.