Tarn Taran bypoll: Political parties intensify campaign as 15 candidates in fray after withdrawals

Political parties intensified their campaigning after 15 candidates were left in the fray for the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll scheduled for November 11.

While papers of six people were rejected, five withdrew from the race on Friday, the last day for the withdrawal of the nominations.

The bypoll on the seat, considered a Panthic segment, was necessitated by the death of AAP legislator Kashmir Singh Sohal on June 27. The main contestants include Harmeet Singh Sandhu of AAP, Principal Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa of the SAD, Harjeet Singh Sandhu of the BJP and Karanbir Singh Burj of the Congress.

Of them, AAP's Harmeet Singh Sandhu has represented the Assembly segment thrice in the past. In 2002, he won as an Independent and got victorious in 2007 and 2012 on the SAD ticket. He resigned from the Akali Dal in 2024 and joined AAP after the death of Dr Sohal.

Randhawa has been active in the region for over a year. She is associated with the “Dharmi Fauji” family as her husband had deserted the Army following the Operation Bluestar in 1984.

Harjeet Singh Sandhu of the BJP is active in the area since the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. Congress candidate Karanbir Singh Burj is a well-known political figure. His grandfather was active in the Gurdwara Reform Movement that began in 1920. His father too remained active in the Congress.

Also in the fray is Mandeep Singh, brother of Sandeep Singh Sunny, who is currently in jail in connection with a murder case.

He is backed by the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), an outfit led by pro-Khalistan synpathiser and jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh.

Don't fall for Opposition lies, Mann tells voters

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, accompanied by ruling AAP's Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia, addressed party volunteers in Tarn Taran.

Urging people to vote wisely, he said, “For the next one and a half years, you will decide Tarn Taran's destiny.”

He warned against the propaganda and lies of Opposition parties, especially dynast politicians.

“They are restless. Those who were thrown out by sons and daughters of common people are desperate to reclaim their places. They call this a semi-final to the 2027 poll, but this is not a game, this is a vote for truth and development,” he said.

Mann blamed previous governments for the spread of drug menace and gangster violence in Punjab.

“We are cleansing the system. Electricity is now available during the day for the fields, schools and hospitals are thriving and governance is transparent,” he asserted.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Mann said, “It has a habit of eating up its allies. Whoever joins them, disappears. The only party that belongs to people is Aam Aadmi Party. If others had done their duty, we wouldn't have been needed here.”

Mann ridiculed SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for taking credit for every project in Punjab. “He says every road, bridge was built by their previous government under Parkash Singh Badal. Then, why does he fall silent when it comes to Bargari and Kotkapura incidents.”

AAP govt couldn’t fulfil promises, claims Sukhbir

Meanwhile, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that the AAP government failed to fulfil its pre-poll promises. Badal alleged that the law and order in the state had collapsed and incidents of murder, looting and extortion instilled fear in people. He also accused the government of draining treasury, leading to the “stopping” of several welfare plans.