The seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections has concluded. The result will be announced on 4th June 2024. This was for the very first time that Punjab witnessed four-cornered elections. All the major 4 political parties namely AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD contested for elections without any alliance. Bathinda constituency saw a turnout of 26.56 % by 11 AM. Bathinda Rural recorded the highest turnout 28.50% while Maur recorded the lowest 23.00 %.
Bathinda will bear witness to a 5-way fight between the major political parties. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will be fielding Harsimrat Kaur Badal for the fourth time, hoping to secure another consecutive victory. However, stepping into the ring with their candidate for the first time since 1996 is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with ex-IAS officer Parampal Kaur Sidhu.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is fielding ex-MLA Gurmeet Singh Khuddian while Congress will be fielding Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu. SAD (Amritsar) is also tossing their hat in the ring with gangster-turned-politician Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakha Sidhana.
In 2019 SAD’s Harsimrat Badal had secured a hat-trick victory beating Congress’ state President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who will be contesting the elections in Ludhiana this year. AAP’s Baljinder Kaur had come third with 11.2% votes with Sukhpal Khaira fourth contesting for Punjab Ekta Party. This year, Khaira is contesting the elections on a Congress ticket.