khadoor-sahib-battle-between-panth-radicalism

In a predominantly ‘panthic’ constituency like Khadoor Sahib, this time, it is actually going to be a battle between the ‘panthic’ stream and the ‘radical’ stream of politics. It will also be a test case as to what course the Akali politics will take in the immediate future in Punjab. 

 

The constituency has come into focus with jailed radical preacher Amritpal contesting independently against the traditional parties including the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is getting a lot of traction and is considered to be a favourite to win from here.  

 

Khadoor Sahib has a special place in the Sikh history. The second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev lived here for 13 years. The place has been sanctified by the visit of eight Sikh gurus. No wonder, it is counted among one of the holiest places in the Sikh religion. 

 

It is the only parliamentary constituency that is spread across all three regions of Punjab, Majha, Doaba and Malwa. Nine of its assembly segments are spread across four districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar (both in Majha), Kapurthala (Doaba) and Ferozepur (Malwa). 

 

Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency was carved out during the 2008 delimitation mostly from the erstwhile Tarn Taran parliamentary constituency. It remains a predominantly ‘panthic’ constituency with some parts bordering Pakistan. 

 

In 2009 and 2014, it was the Akali Dal candidates Rattan Singh Ajnala and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura respectively who won from Khadoor Sahib.

 

In 2019, due to the division of panthic votes, it was the Congress’ Jasbir Singh Dimpa who won from here. 

 

In 2019, Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra contested on the ticket of the Punjab Ekta Party (which was formed by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, now in Congress and fighting from Sangrur) and got about 2.14 lakh votes, while Bibi Jagir Kaur who was the Akali candidate got about 3.19 lakh votes. Dimpa got about 4.59 lakh votes and romped home comfortably.

 

The situation has changed drastically since 2019. First, the Akali Dal is contesting on its own. IN 2019 it had an alliance with the BJP, which though does not have a significant presence here could easily transfer a respectable number of votes to the Akali Dal. 

 

The Akali Dal has fielded Virsa Singh Valtoha, who during the militancy was arrested under National Security Act (NSA) and spent many years in jail. Both Ajnala and Brahmpura left the Akali Dal. Brahmpura later returned to the party before his death. 

 

Amritpal is gaining a lot of traction from the people here. Earlier, he had adopted an extremely radical posture to the extent of saying that “Sikhs were slaves” and needed “independence”. Since he has joined the electoral fray, his tone is likely to change. He continues to command appeal among youth, particularly his campaign against drugs and for baptising the youth has found him many admirers.

 

Khadoor Sahib constituency indeed is a predominantly ‘panthic’ constituency. But there is a lot of difference between ‘panthic’ and ‘radical’ politics. It would be a gross mistake to mix up the two. The Shiromani Akali Dal represents the ‘panthic’ ideology. It has always avoided ‘radical’ ideology. It will be a fight between the ‘panthic’ and the ‘radical’ ideology in Khadoor Sahib. 

 

Amritpal, no doubt may be a favourite, but it is not going to be a cakewalk either. It would be wrong to assume that he commands any sweeping appeal. As already mentioned, his Akali opponent Voltoha comes from a pure ‘panthic’ background. While he practises moderate ‘panthic’ politics now, he has also been a radical of his time.

 

The Congress candidate Kulbeer Zira, also comes from a ‘panthic’ family background. His ‘panthic’ credentials are non-negotiable. The BJP candidate from here, Manjit Singh Manna Mianwind is also a former two-time Akali MLA and no less panthic.   

 

The ruling AAP has fielded sitting minister Laljit Singh Bhullar from here. Of the nine assembly segments in the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency, AAP won seven in the 2022 assembly elections. Despite that, it looks an uphill task for the ruling party this time as it is a battle between the ‘panthic’ and the ‘radical’ streams.