Scenario of Jalandhar parliamentary bypoll after Badal’s demise

BADAL WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER
Although S.A.D.(B) Supremo, senior Akali Dal (Badal) leader, former five-time Chief Minister of Punjab, and former Union Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, is no longer with us, his ideology, principles, and visionary approach towards Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat will always remain intact in the minds of Punjabis in the coming years. He was honestly dedicated to highlighting Sikh history by giving approvals/clearances and releasing ample funds for constructing various monuments related to Sikh history, focusing on generating more power/electricity in the state by introducing the concept of thermal plants, hydel projects, road infrastructure, etc. These were the visionary approaches of Parkash Singh Badal. He focused on Hindu-Sikh unity and, in 1970, he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Punjab with the coalition of Bharatiya Jana Sangh M.L.A.’s. At that time, senior B.J.S. leaders, late Dr. Baldev Parkash, Late Balramji Dass Tandon, Late Babu Hitabilashi, Late Manmohan Kalia, Late Yagya Dutt Sharma, played a positive role in forming a coalition government in Punjab. In 1977, Parkash Singh Badal once again took the oath of Chief Minister of Punjab as Bharatiya Jana Sangh was an alliance partner with the Janata Party, and B.J.P. leaders contested the Parliament/Assembly elections on the symbol of Haldhar of Janata Party. In 1997, S.A.D.(B) - B.J.P. were alliance partners as B.J.P. senior leader Late Madan Lal Khurana, Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Late Arun Jaitley, Late Sushma Sawaraj, Late Balram Ji Dass Tandon, L.K. Advani, Madan Mohan Mittal played a positive role in forming the alliance, and in 1997-2002, 2007-2012, 2012-2017, Parkash Singh Badal remained Chief Minister of Punjab. He has remained as Chief Minister of Punjab for the maximum time and won Assembly Election eleven times. A great orator, visionary personality, always focused on taking Punjab towards new heights of prosperity and development. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, recently wrote an article in various newspapers on Parkash Singh Ji Badal. It is honestly a great tribute to this great leader.

WHO WILL BE AFTER BADAL?
As Parkash Singh Badal is no longer with us, which leader from S.A.D. (B) will show a charismatic visionary approach to strengthen the party in the coming days? Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Bikramjit Singh Majitia are seasoned politicians, and no doubt, they have the capability and political skills to strengthen the organization to fill the vacuum created after the sudden demise of Parkash Singh Badal.

FUTURE ROLE OF MANPREET SINGH BADAL?
After Manpreet Singh Badal joined the BJP, it is unclear what role he will play in the coming days, especially after the demise of Parkash Singh Ji Badal. It remains to be seen whether there will be a renewed alliance between the BJP and S.A.D (B) in the future. Recently, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, paid his respects to Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh. Other senior leaders, including BJP National President and Former Union Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Tarun Chug, Former Minister of Punjab Manoranjan Kalia, Surjit Singh Jayani, and others visited Badal's native village to pay tribute to the departed leader. It's difficult to predict the course of politics, as new alliances can be formed due to changing circumstances.

ONGOING CAMPAIGN FOR JALANDHAR PARLIAMENTARY BY-POLL
In the ongoing campaign for the Jalandhar Parliamentary by-poll, it is uncertain whether sympathy votes will be cast in favour of the Congress candidate, Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, due to the death of her husband, Late Santokh Singh Chaudhary during Rahul Gandhi's visit to Punjab. However, with the passing of Parkash Singh Ji Badal, a small percentage of votes may swing in favour of S.A.D. (B)-B.S.P. Alliance candidate Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi.
Senior BJP leaders have camped in Jalandhar in support of their candidate, Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal. Former Chief Minister of Gujarat and In-charge of BJP Political Affairs in Punjab, Vijay Rupani, former Minister of Uttar Pradesh Dr. Mahinder Singh, BJP National Vice President Saudan Singh, National Vice President of BJP, Hans Raj Hans MP, and other senior leaders are monitoring the campaigning and motivating party workers. The BJP high command is hopeful that they are slowly gaining momentum. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri  has already visited Jalandhar twice, Union Minister Anurag Thakur is in the city and other ministers such as Smriti Irani and others may visit Jalandhar for campaigning.

Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru,
Journalist.
Jalandhar City.