Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Singers cross swords with Hans and Anmol in fray for Faridkot

The BJP has nominated Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans, who currently serves as the MP from North West Delhi, as their candidate from the Faridkot seat.

Irrespective of the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections for the Faridkot reserved parliamentary constituency, it's evident that the campaign will be far from discordant, given the involvement of popular Punjabi Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans as the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) candidate, alongside Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Karamjit Anmol, a renowned comedian and singer. With both contenders bringing their entertainment backgrounds to the political arena, voters can expect a campaign brimming with musical entertainment and lively exchanges.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE Updates: Congress releases star list of star candidates, holds CEC meeting to finalise candidates for Bihar Odisha

Faridkot's incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Mohammad Sadique, may potentially be retained by the Congress party. Both Sadique and Hans bring parliamentary experience to the forefront, distinguishing them from Anmol, who is relatively new to the political landscape.

Until 2004, Faridkot served as a general constituency, where Sukhbir Singh Badal, the current president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), secured three consecutive terms as MP. Notably, Badal's father, Parkash Singh Badal, contested his sole parliamentary election from this seat in 1977. However, following the delimitation in 2008, which designated the Faridkot seat for the scheduled castes, no political party has managed to maintain a consistent grip on it. In 2009, it was claimed by Paramjit Kaur Gulshan of the SAD, followed by Sadhu Singh of the AAP in 2014, and Sadique of the Congress in 2019.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Behind BJP's decision to go solo in Punjab

Political analysts argue that the BJP strategically chose Hans for his Dalit Hindu background, aiming to consolidate its political base and appeal to Hindu voters. Hans's widespread popularity as a renowned singer, especially in stage performances, further enhances his appeal among the masses, which the BJP intends to leverage for electoral gains.

The saffron party's efforts to expand its presence in the state are evident, particularly with the AAP in governance, presenting a challenge to both the Congress and the SAD. Within this political backdrop, the BJP sees an opportunity and is keen to capitalise on the prevailing circumstances. Recently, several Congress and AAP leaders have switched allegiance to the BJP, bolstering the party's strength and advancing its objectives.

Also Read | Congress' Preneet Kaur joins BJP in Punjab; 10 key points of this Patiala MP's political journey

Hans brings to the table a wealth of political experience spanning 15 years. He started his political journey with the SAD in January 2009, later moved to the Congress in February 2016. Displaying significant political flexibility, he joined the BJP in December 2016, ultimately securing a seat as a MP from North West Delhi on the BJP ticket during the 2019 general election.

On the other hand, Anmol is a newcomer to the political arena. However, as an actor-comedian-singer, he possesses the ability to deliver humourous dialogues, enabling him to effectively connect with the masses. Plus, Anmol shares a close bond with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as they have performed on numerous occasions during their time in the entertainment industry.

Also Read | Punjab Lok Sabha election dates 2024: Polling to be held in one phase, check schedule, constituency-wise details

In the 2019 elections, the Congress nominated Sadique as its candidate in Faridkot, and he emerged victorious. Sadique, a renowned Punjabi folk singer, despite being relatively inexperienced in politics and an outsider in Faridkot, drew large crowds due to his widespread popularity as a singer.

Similarly, both Hans and Anmol, despite being newcomers to the political arena, are garnering significant attention at their rallies due to their immense popularity across the state. Their stature as well-known figures in Punjab, akin to Sadique, is contributing to the considerable attraction of their campaign events.

Despite their outsider status in Faridkot's political arena, both Hans and Anmol possess the potential to exert considerable influence. Their popularity transcends local boundaries, attracting attention and support at the statewide level. Through rallies and public engagements, their charismatic appeal and widespread recognition are anticipated to attract large crowds and media coverage.