India General Elections 2024: Bhatinda’s giant-killer seeks second Badal scalp

Incumbent MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal seeks a 4th term. Pic/Faisal Tandel

In Bhatinda, Punjab, a three-way battle is underway for the upcoming elections. Incumbent MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal seeks her fourth term; Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, representing AAP, faces the challenge of competing against Harsimrat Kaur Badal; and Lakha Sidhana, a former gangster turned activist and politician, campaigns for Punjab's rights, challenging the established political order.

Badal emphasises, "We must save the Badal family and our party, as others aim to end us in Punjab." Sidhana echoes, "My past is past. We fight for Punjab's rights. About five to six cases against me are from farmer protests."

AAP's Gurmeet Singh Khuddian at a rally. Pic/Facebook

During her campaign, Badal expressed concerns about drug issues and appealed for support to tackle them, emphasising the need to save Punjab's future.

Campaigning with Badal

During her campaign, Harsimrat Kaur Badal expressed the personal and political stakes involved. "Campaigning in this area is a loss for the SAD party and a personal loss to me after the death of my father-in-law Prakash Singh Badal," she said. Addressing concerns about drugs, she urged citizens to support her bid to tackle the issue,.

Who is Badal?
Badal began her political career in 2009 as a Lok Sabha MP from Bhatinda. In her first speech, she addressed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Re-elected in 2014 and 2019, she is now contesting for the fourth time. She served as the cabinet minister of food processing industries (2014-2019, 2019-2020) and resigned on September 17, 2020, to protest the new farm bill.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal during her campaign

You are contesting for the fourth time from Bathinda. What do you think?
I am happy to contest for the fourth time and work for the people of Bhatinda, Punjab and India. We see politicians changing parties and constituencies just to contest in the election. But I am contesting for the fourth time from the same party and the same place.

What about the farmers?
The present government claims they will double farmers' income, but it's all talk. Neither the BJP nor the AAP did anything for farmers. The farmers have been protesting for more than 100 days, and no one is listening to them.

Lakha Sidhana during his campaign. Pics/Faisal Tandel

What is the present government doing wrong, according to you?
They are trying to steal water from Punjab and give it to other states. They are not thinking about the farmers. Our party is fighting for the farmers and will continue to do so.

As a woman in Parliament, what issues will you raise and what will you do for women's empowerment?
I will do everything possible to empower women and improve their education.

Campaigning with Sidhana

Prominent in the 2020 farmers' agitation, Lakha Sidhana spoke at a roadshow in Aklia, Mansa, stating, "While other parties arrange fuel and drinks, we don't. You came for us because we fight for Punjab's rights." Known for his activism, Sidhana championed Punjabi signboards and helped those cheated by agents. He also promised to address harassment complaints from a woman and her mother, offering them hope.

Gurmeet Singh Khuddian meeting people in his constituency

What did you think after getting a Lok Sabha ticket?
It's my first time contesting an MP election. After getting elected, I will talk about Punjab and fight for its citizens' rights. Since 1947, our rights have been eroded. I am contesting for the rights of Punjab's citizens and will take up their issues.

You are said to be a gangster-turned-politician with more than two dozen cases. What do you have to say about that?
That was my past during my young age when crimes happened. But I have grown and understood life. Now, I am devoting my life to Punjab and its citizens.

You are fighting against three-time MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is contesting for the fourth time.
The Badal government has ended and will end from Punjab now. They have betrayed Punjab. Badal has sold out Punjab's rights to the Central government, so her return is impossible.

Thousands of farmers are protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border.
About five to six cases against me are due to my involvement in the farmer protests. I have always supported the farmers and will continue to do so.

You fought for Punjabi language signboards in Punjab.
Many have tried to end Punjabis and Punjab, but those who wanted to kill us have themselves perished. Punjab will always rise.

What about Punjabi language in schools? You said the mother tongue should be given first preference.
I am not against any language; everyone has the right to speak their language. But the mother tongue should not be forgotten. I am fighting to save the Punjabi language.

Gurmeet Singh Khuddian

We attempted to meet Khudian, but he was busy campaigning. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, a Punjab Legislative Assembly member from Lambi, achieved a significant victory in 2022 by defeating Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). His win marked a shift in Punjab politics away from SAD's dominance.

Originally from Congress, Khuddian switched to AAP before the elections, highlighting his clean image and agricultural background. His victory reflected the electorate's fatigue with alleged corruption and dynastic politics in the Badal family. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann appointed Khudian as the Agriculture Minister, recognizing his success. Khuddian is now positioned by AAP to challenge the Badal dynasty's influence.

June 4
Day of result