Political News

AAP candidate Harinder Singh Khalsa’s victory surprised political analysts

May 17, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (May 17, 2014): Former MP Harinder Singh Khalsa was one of the last candidates announced by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab. Former IFS officer, who served as Indian diplomat at Norway, was previously elected as the Member of Indian Parliament from Bathinda seat in 1996 on the ticket of Shiromani Akali Dal.

It is notable that Harinder Singh Khalsa was deployed at Norway as a diplomat of India in June 1984 when Indian army had attacked Darbar Sahib Amritsar. He had resigned from the service in protest against Darbar Sahib.

He remained in exile for about six years. In 1990 during Prime ministership of Mr V.P. Singh Harinder Singh Khalsa returned to India and settled in Ludhiana. He headed Punjab Human Rights Organization (PHRO) for one year during which he highlighted excesses committed by state machinery.

He was secretary Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) from 1991 to 1993.

In 1996 he was elected as Member of Parliament from Bhatinda on the ticket of Shiromani Akali Dal. For three years during the prime ministership of Atal Bihar Vajpayee he worked as member commission for SC and ST.. He had served as secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC).

Later on he joined Shiromani Akali Dal and was elected as member of Indian Parliament from Bathinda constituency.

During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government he was appointed as chairman of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’ Welfare Commission.

Harinder Singh Khalsa joined Aam Aadmi Party after the announcement of Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. He was fielded by AAP from Fatehgarh Sahib constituency.

As his ticket was announced at a later stage he was late in starting the election campaign as compared to his competitors.

In an election victory that surprised many election analysts, Harinder Singh Khalsa bagged more than 3.67 lakh (3,67,293) votes.

Harinder Singh Khalsa beated Sadhu Singh of Indian Nationa Congress and Kulwnat Singh of Badal Dal who secured 3.13 lakh (3,13,149) and 3.12 lakh (3,12,815) votes respectively.

Harinder Singh Khalsa managed to maintain lead in six Assembly segments – Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi, Samrala, Payal, Raikot, and Amargarh. The Congress candidate got a lead only from the Khanna and Amloh Assembly segments whereas the Badal-BJP candidate could get a lead only from the Sahnewal segment.

Harinder Singh Khalsa got a maximum of 59,482 votes in Raikot, followed by 45,648 votes in Amargarh and 42,213 votes in Payal.

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Related Topics: Aam Aadmi Party, Harinder Singh Khalsa (Norway), Lok Sabha Elections 2014, Punjab Politics

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