Every political party is very particular in selection of a candidate before final announcement of ticket for the coming Punjab Assembly Polls in 2017 and the Jalalabad seat - presently being represented by Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister – not finding a place in the third list released by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) - has become the hot discussion matter among the political circles and aspirants and has raised number of questions.
There had been rumour about the joining of Sher Singh Ghubaya alongwith his family members into Congress but where there is smoke, there is fire, fits well when he has been out of the scene at various events in his constituency especially in Jalalabad to which he belongs clearly indicate that some planning is going on within the family or with his supporters.
Ghubaya has clearly stated in his statements that it is the work of his rival group aspirant to contest from Jalalabad on SAD seat and has been seen active in the area.
Sources said, Parkash Singh Badal has managed the situation by calling Ghubaya and local leaders and agreed to field his Ghubaya’s son from Malout against his wish to contest from Fazilka. But this seat is reserved for BJP which may not be acceptable to them.
Before 2011 this community was considered as the backward class, but during the UPA regime, this community has been declared as Scheduled Caste.
The community has the strong hold in the assembly segments of border towns - Fazilka (35%), Jalalabad (36 per cent), Guruharsahi (41 per cent ), Ferozepur Rural (16 per cent), Ferozepur urban (12 per cent), Zira (12 per cent).
Sher Singh Ghubhaya represents Rai Sikh community and in case he joins the Congress, it is likely to affect cross voting Guruharsahai seat in particular and Fazilka and Ferozepur seats in general also. The big loss will be to Sukhbir Singh Badal who has been challenged by AAP leader Bhagwant Singh Mann to contest from Jalalabad. In view of mammoth gathering in AAP’s rally, it will not be an easy task for Sukhbir Badal to contest from Jalalabad. Perhaps the delay in announcement of Jalalabad seat in particular is to prevent the cross voting.
Rai Sikhs are holding its third meeting at Ladhu Ka in Fazilka District to decide about fielding their candidates as Independent in case their community member is not considered for ticket from the constituencies represented by Rai Sikhs.