Lal Singh, 74, Congress
Constituency: Sanaur
Education: Class 10
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 1.3 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated SAD’s Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu by 3,907 votes
2007: Defeated Harmail Singh Tohra of SAD by 8,110 votes
Assembly record
Questions asked: 14
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Face of the Kamboj community in Punjab
What next Wants ticket to son; Cong has one-family-one-ticket rule this time
How he performed
He has contested eight elections and won six; and has enjoyed considerable power. However, younger voters have started questioning why he has failed to bring any major project to the area despite remaining minister of 17 departments in four terms. Lack of potable water, the Ghaggar floods, waste management, lack of civic amenities, are problems that have become permanent here. Lal Singh blames the Akali Dal for ignoring the area. The area has got a college and upgrade of schools, but even cheques of development funds are distributed by Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra, now the SAD candidate. Lal Singh remains accessible and has a direct connect with detractors too. Lately, he has been spending time in Samana, from where he is hoping for a ticket to his son, Rajinder Singh.
Voter speak
The MLA has done nothing here. Now, he is concentrating on Samana, thus Sanaur voters are feeling ignored. The area still does not have adequate civic amenities.
Surjit Singh, 32, farmer
Ghaggar needs to be tamed, but despite being influential, the MLA failed to do anything. He does connect well with people should have performed better.
Lakhbir Singh, 40, farmer
By the way
State Cong chief’s chair has been so near yet so far!
Surjit Singh Rakhra, 65, Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Samana
Education: Graduate
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 20 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Congress candidate Raninder Singh by 6,930 votes
2007: Lost to Congress candidate Brahm Mohindra by 2,576 votes
Assembly record
Minister for water supply, sanitation; higher education
Power punch Moneyed family with businesses abroad is close to Badals
What next Has been allotted ticket again by the SAD
How he performed
Rakhra claims that he has done almost every pending development work of the constituency, and fulfilled all promises. As he is also higher education minister of the state, he brought many institutions here, such as a girls’ college at Karhali Sahib and Mohindra College’s extension campus at Bhanri village. Among the major negatives is that the anti-incumbency wave is on high tide in Samana against the ruling alliance as well as the MLA. Residents complain about the corruption in the local bodies but also appreciate his efforts for distributing money for development of the constituency to villages. It helps his image as such that he goes to every marriage function and bhog in the area, and remains accessible.
Voter speak
Our MLA distributed a lot of money but its utilisation was not monitored. Material used for civic works was also of poor quality, particularly in villages.
Amarjit Kaur, 72, housewife
Roads, streets, sewerage and other basic needs have been addressed. But it was the people’s rightful due as most governmental properties here have been sold.
Avtar Singh, 30, farmer
By the way
Bucking trend, prefers shirt-pants over kurta-pyjama
Preneet Kaur, 71, Congress
Constituency: Patiala (urban)
Education: Graduate
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 4.3 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated SAD’s Bhagwan Dass Juneja by 23,282 votes
2007: Husband Capt Amarinder Singh won seat for Cong; he quit after becoming MP
Assembly record
Questions asked: 19
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Wife of ex-CM Amarinder Singh, scion of erstwhile Patiala royals
What next She has opted out as Amarinder to contest from here
How she performed
Being an opposition MLA, she could not bring any project here and charged the SAD-led government with neglecting the city for the last 10 years. SAD halqa in-charge Bhagwan Dass and his son were extra-constitutional powers, but neither did they bring any development nor allowed her to, she says. However, her critics says she remained MP thrice here and once even a Union Minister, and her tenures coincided with Congress rule in the state and Centre, but she failed to much even then. Localities like Khalsa Mohalla and Matura Colony reveal the dark side of the city, lacking even drainage system. In 10 years, indeed, the city has not got any major project except announcements of upgrade of Rajindra Hospital. However, she is accessible and attends social functions.
Voter speak
Roads are in disrepair, rain brings misery, and there is also the problem of lack of drinking water. The MLA raised her voice for us, but local authorities did not listen to her.
Ajay Singh, 44, chartered accountant
Dirty politics has ruined this royal city. Stray animals have become a big menace. The MLA raised her voice in the assembly, but issues remained unresolved.
Manu Vats, 43, doctor
By the way
Always wears sunglasses at public meets
Tomorrow: Shutrana, Balluana
