In a dramatic twist, Bathinda’s political arena is bracing itself for an unexpected upheaval as the Congress party is mulling to make a bold bid to persuade Balkaur Singh, father of the slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, to step into the electoral fray from Bathinda — a seat from where the party has already declared former MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu as its candidate. Amidst fervent speculation and mounting anticipation, senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa is slated to visit Balkaur Singh’s residence on Monday, sparking hopes of a potential candidacy under the Congress banner.
The Congress’ bold move came close on the heels of a buzz around Balkaur Singh planning to throw his hat in the electoral ring from Bathinda as an independent rather than under the Congress banner. Congress, which had earlier also made all attempts to bring Balkaur Singh on board to contest from Bathinda, will once again make an effort to persuade him. For the same, it has given the responsibility to the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Pratap Singh Bajwa who is scheduled to visit their residence on Monday.
Sources maintained that Bajwa’s visit is aimed at persuading Balkaur Singh to join the political fray as Congress member. In fact, ever since discussions surfaced regarding his potential candidacy, the Congress has been actively trying to woo Balkaur Singh into their fold, and change its candidate in Bathinda. With the stakes higher than ever, Bajwa's persuasive charm and political acumen will be put to the test as he endeavoured to secure Balkaur Singh's allegiance and commitment to the Congress cause.
Notably, Shubhdeep Singh, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, had unsuccessfully contested 2022 state assembly polls from Mansa on Congress ticket.
With the spotlight now shifting towards Balkaur Singh, the political narrative is expected to take an intriguing twist, injecting a fresh wave of anticipation and speculation into the electoral arena of Bathinda. Interestingly, Jeet Mohinder Sidhu, the Congress candidate from Bathinda, had earlier stated that he would vacate his seat for Sidhu Moosewala's father if he agreed to contest on the Congress ticket.
Amidst talks about entering the electoral fray, Balakaur Singh had recently expressed his willingness to enter politics while interacting with supporters at his residence.
Addressing Moosewala's fans at his residence recently, Balkaur Singh had said: “If we enter politics, they will say that Sidhu Moosewala’s father is doing politics. But the difference between a politician and a common man is that the Chief Minister was blown up with a bomb, and my son was murdered with an AK-47…The former Chief Minister’s grandson was an MP…they were made to serve their sentence, the conspirators were caught, and the courts sentenced them. They have already served the sentence, and in fact, they are still not released. So why shouldn't we enter politics and try our best to get justice for our son?”
Notably, Sidhu Moose Wala, the popular Indian rapper, met a tragic end on May 29, 2022. He was shot dead in his SUV near his village Moosa in Mansa district. The assailants fired over 30 rounds, and Moosewala was found slumped in the driver’s seat by locals. Unfortunately, he was declared brought dead after being shot at point-blank range. The incident occurred just a day after the AAP-led State Government curtailed his security cover. His autopsy revealed that he was hit by 19 bullets and died within 15 minutes due to hemorrhagic shock caused by the firearm injuries.
Balkaur Singh’s potential entry into the electoral fray is likely to mark a significant development, resonating deeply with the sentiments of the people of Punjab, particularly those in Bathinda. As the father of the late Sidhu Moosewala, a globally renowned beloved figure especially among youth, Balkaur Singh commands immense respect and admiration from both fans and political observers alike. His decision to step into the realm of politics carries profound implications, promising to redefine the contours of the electoral contest in Bathinda.
Announcement on Remaining 5 Seats Anytime
Chandigarh: The Congress party is poised to reveal its contenders for the remaining five parliamentary battlegrounds in Punjab, stirring anticipation and speculation among political circles. With the announcement expected imminently, the party is gearing up to unveil its strategic lineup, possibly delivering surprises on a couple of seats.
As per the information available, while Congress leadership has made up its mind to field former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa from Gurdaspur, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring may be asked to contest from Ludhiana.
Moreover, the anticipation is high within political circles as the Congress aimed to field candidates strategically to maximize its electoral prospects in the state. Alongside Randhawa and Warring, other potential candidates in contention for the remaining seats include former MP Vijay Inder Singla from Sri Anandpur Sahib; former MP Sher Singh Ghubaya from Ferozepur, and sitting Independent MLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh from Khadoor Sahib.
Notably, the Congress has already announced its candidates for eight out of the total 13 parliamentary constituencies in Punjab. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has been nominated from Jalandhar; former MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi from Patiala; Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Sangrur; Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu from Bathinda; sitting MP Gurjit Singh Aujla from Amritsar, sitting MP Dr Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib; Yamini Gomar from Hoshiarpur, and Amarjit Kaur from Faridkot.
