Gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections, Punjab has emerged as a unique state where 12 legislators are set to enter the electoral fray. With the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielding nine MLAs out of its 13 candidates, including eight from its own ranks and one defector from the Congress, the stage is set for a fierce electoral contest.

Similarly, the principal opposition party, Congress, has also thrown its weight behind their chosen ones, with three sitting MLAs out of 13 candidates entering the electoral arena. It’s evident that both parties are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory, and for that, they are relying on their tried and tested soldiers.

Besides the sitting MLAs, the parties have also laid their bet on the sitting MPs, with seven, out of total 13 set to seek re-election. While Congress has re-nominated its two sitting MPs — Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Amritsar, and Dr Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib — out of a total seven; Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has once again trusted three-time MP  and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda. SAD (Amritsar) chief and sitting MP from Sangrur Simranjeet Singh Mann is also seeking to repeat his performance of the 2022 bypolls.

Interestingly, three sitting MPs are contesting polls representing the BJP — the party which could win just one seat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Congress’ two MPs — Preneet Kaur from Patiala, and Ravneet Singh Bittu from Ludhiana; and AAP’s lone MP Sushil Kumar Rinku are contesting as BJP candidates, after switching their loyalties to the saffron party.

The ruling AAP, which stormed to power in 2022 by securing 92 seats in the 117-member House, has placed a hefty bet on its nine sitting legislators, including five Cabinet Minister — Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Amritsar, Laljit Singh Bhullar from Khadoor Sahib, Gurmeet Singh Khudian from Bathinda, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer from Sangrur, and Dr Balbir Singh from Patiala.

Besides, AAP MLA from Muktsar Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar has been fielded from Ferozepur, Batala MLA Amanjot Singh Sherry Kalsi is in fray from Gurdaspur, while Ludhiana Central MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi is contesting from Ludhiana.

Congress MLA from Chabbewal Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal, who resigned from the Congress and joined AAP, is now the party’s candidate from Hoshiarpur.

On the other hand, the Congress is not far behind. With one legislator Dr Chabbewal joining AAP and two others — Sandeep Jakhar and Vikramjeet Singh Chaudhary — suspended from the party for “anti-party activities”, the Congress has nominated three of its legislators for the electoral battle. The party has 18 members in the Vidhan Sabha.

Punjab Congress president and Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring is challenging the friend-turned-foe Bittu in Ludhiana; while Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira is challenging the Cabinet Minister Hayer in Sangrur — a seat known as AAP’s citadel. Former Deputy Chief Minister and Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also entered the poll arean from Gurdaspur.

The decision by both the AAP and the Congress to nominate a substantial number of their incumbent legislators highlights the strategic significance they attribute to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. By capitalizing on the popularity and grassroots connections of their legislators, both parties are aiming to gain a competitive advantage in what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral contest.

Currently, there are no constituencies where two legislators are directly pitted against each other. However, it is expected that in areas where legislators emerge triumphant, by-elections will be necessitated. Moreover, the recent defection of AAP MLA Sheetal Aggarwal to the BJP, resulting in her resignation from the legislative assembly, further mandates the need for a by-election. Nevertheless, the acceptance of these resignations by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kulwant Singh Sandhwan is still pending.

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab promise to be a multi-cornered affair, with all major political players throwing their hats into the ring without forming any alliances. However, the primary showdown is expected to unfold between the AAP and the Congress across most constituencies, as both parties strive to assert their dominance over the state's political terrain. It's worth noting that while AAP and Congress have joined forces in coalition efforts in various states like Haryana and Delhi as part of the nationwide opposition alliance — INDIA, their battle in Punjab remains fiercely independent. Despite concerted efforts, the longstanding allies, SAD and BJP, have failed to reach a consensus and revive their erstwhile coalition.

The looming Lok Sabha polls represent a pivotal moment for both the AAP and the Congress. As they prepare for a heated electoral showdown on June 1, the outcome of these elections will not only reshape Punjab's political terrain but also carry far-reaching implications for the national political landscape. With stakes running high and competition intensifying, all eyes are fixed on Punjab as it braces itself for a decisive electoral face-off.

BOX: MPs, MLAs in Fray