Suspense over Parkash Singh Badal’s poll plans

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 3

Though actively indulging in political alliances and staging protests against the government, the SAD is silent on whether it’s senior-most leader and five-time CM Parkash Singh Badal will contest the 2022 Assembly polls or not.

Badal seems to be gearing up for the polls by remaining active via phone calls to the party cadre and supporters in the Lambi constituency, but the party has made no official announcement about it. Badal would probably be the oldest politician in the country if he contests elections. He would be 94 years and three months old if elections take place in February 2022. At 93 years and six months, he is still the most active politician.

Party chief Sukhbir Badal has announced his candidature from the Jalalabad constituency. Party leaders say they understand him to be the CM face of the party. No formal announcement has been made in this regard. The party has also announced the deputy CM post for a Dalit candidate, which the BSP is eyeing after its alliance with the SAD.

Later, Sukhbir also announced the party’s decision for candidature of Virsa Singh Valtoha from Khemkaran, NK Sharma from Dera Bassi, Amarpal Singh Ajnala from Ajnala, Gulzar Singh Ranike from Attari, Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra from Phillaur and a few others, but there is no word on the party patriarch.

While The Tribune could not contact Badal, Harcharan Bains, principal political adviser to the SAD and close aide of Badal, said: “Badal sahib has kept his plans to himself. He is likely to contest the elections but the decision would be his. Though knowing Badal ji, he will go by the party’s decision.”

Party insiders said Badal would lead the party campaign. SAD spokesman Daljeet Singh Cheema said: “The decision to contest or not would be his, but one thing is sure that he will lead the campaign.”

Despite his age and ill health, Badal is reportedly active over the phone, talking not just to senior leaders, but also to their sons and even grandchildren. Besides, he recently got a list of Youth Akali Dal activists to talk about the party’s hopes from them.

Badal’s name still seems to carry weight for the SAD’s fortunes. The party faced quite an embarrassment when its hoardings in Ludhiana did not include his photos. After criticism, the party is ensuring it uses Badal’s photo on all posters.

May become oldest leader to contest

• Parkash Singh Badal will probably be the oldest politician in the country if he contests elections
• He will be 94 years and three months old if elections take place in February 2022
• At 93 years and six months, he is still the most active politician