Gurtej Singh Ghuriana,57,Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Balluana (SC)
Education: Law graduate
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 13 lakh
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Giri Raj Rajora of Congress by 8,227 votes
2007: Defeated Parkash Singh Bhatti of Congress by 14,634 votes
Assembly record
Questions asked: 8
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch An educated Dalit face from a rural, reserved segment
What next Denied ticket by SAD this time
How he performed
Ghuriana initiated projects on waterworks and water-purification plants. A quiet worker, he remained dependent on chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s sangat darshan programmes in his constituency, for the CM’s Lambi assembly segment is next to Balluana. The local administration has been at his disposal for his proximity with the chief minister. The link roads, however remained a matter of concern, mainly for the Congress-dominated villages. The work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) also remained neglected, as many beneficiaries hold blank job cards in the area. He also faced allegations of political victimisation. The party has replaced him with Parkash Singh Bhatti, who was earlier in the Congress and his arch rival.
Voter speak
Development took place selectively, in Akali-dominated villages. Otherwise, the MLA is a soft-spoken man who does not confront rivals on a personal level.
Krishan Neol, 28, farmer
Ours is the most neglected constituency. Our MLA kept such a low profile that he has not even propogated ongoing schemes. Some work on drainage and roads was done.
Kewal Singh, 43, farmer
By the way
Stays in nearby town Malout, where he practises law
Vaninder Kaur Loomba, 48, Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Shutrana (SC)
Education: Post-graduate
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 9.6 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Nirmal Singh of the Congress by 772 votes
2007: She didn’t contest; Nirmal Singh won the seat for Congress
Assembly record
Questions asked: 22
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Her husband, DTO Karan Singh, close to Bikram Majithia
What next Has been allotted ticket again by the SAD
How she performed
She claims she met almost all demands. She also claims that she brought down the rate of road construction to `18 lakh from `21 lakh per kilometre here. The project of fencing around the Bir Gurdialpura wildlife sanctuary also started late, which irked the farmers having agricultural land around the sanctuary. The issue of a bus stand inside Patran town also remained a major issue for the residents as the buses do not enter the town and market that are far from the bypass. Although the MLA considers a pipeline and cleaning of Ghaggar river as standout achievements, residents consider the seasonal river as the major problem of the area. The defunct bridges on the Bhakra canal in villages such as Kalwanu and Nanhera also displease voters.
Voter speak
Our MLA started working mainly in the fourth year of her term. The area is still backward in terms of job chances as she failed to bring any major project.
Pavitar Singh, 30, school teacher
She has done a lot, though projects are still on in villages and construction of roads is ongoing. She is easily accessible to the people and is polite in her behaviour.
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, 35, lecturer
By the way
Spends an hour daily in gym installed at home.
