The Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab has emerged as a focal point of political intrigue with the entry of radical preacher Amritpal Singh into the electoral fray. Singh's decision to contest as an independent candidate has added a new dimension to the electoral dynamics, transforming the contest into a four-way battle.
This constituency, characterized by its Sikh-dominated demographics, has historically been a hotbed of religious and political fervor. Issues such as the release of former Khalistani militants, commonly referred to as 'Bandi Singhs', and the arrest of Amritpal Singh have taken center stage in the electoral discourse.
Singh's candidature has caught traditional political parties off guard, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which had initially sought support from his family. The withdrawal of the SAD nominee by Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) in Singh's favor, coupled with the unconditional backing from Paramjit Kaur Khalda, has further complicated the electoral calculus for established players.
The SAD (Badal), in particular, faces a daunting challenge in countering Singh's influence and neutralizing his appeal among hardline Sikh voters. The party's concerns are exacerbated by the fear of a vote split among Sikh hardliners, akin to the scenario witnessed in the previous election.
Moreover, the SAD (Badal) finds itself embroiled in controversies stemming from sacrilege cases reported during its tenure, further denting its electoral prospects. The party's candidate, Virsa Singh Valtoha, has resorted to targeting Singh, accusing him of endangering religion and maintaining ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The electoral landscape of Khadoor Sahib witnessed a significant shift in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, with Congress emerging victorious. However, the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the subsequent 2022 Assembly elections has added another layer of complexity to the contest.
While AAP's vote share surged in the 2022 Assembly polls, winning seven out of nine segments in the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, the remaining two segments remained under Congress's influence. The decision to field Kulbir Singh Zira as the candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls has led to internal dissent within Congress ranks.
The entry of Amritpal Singh has effectively transformed the Khadoor Sahib polls into a multi-cornered contest, with the Congress and AAP vying for mainstream voters while the SAD (Badal) and Singh compete for the pro-hardliner constituency. Amidst this electoral melee, the enduring support for Naveen Patnaik's BJD remains a critical factor that could potentially determine the outcome of the polls.
