Riding on AAP wave, Kamboj breaches Sukhbir’s bastion, defeats SAD chief by 30,374 votes

AAP’s Jagdeep ‘Goldy’ Kamboj defeated SAD president Sukhbir Badal in the Akali stronghold of Jalalabad constituency by 30,374 votes. Of the total 1,70,734 votes polled, Kamboj got 90,308 votes

Congress rebel-turned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Jagdeep ‘Goldy’ Kamboj defeated Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal in the Akali stronghold of Jalalabad constituency by 30,374 votes.

AAP’s Jagdeep ‘Goldy’ Kamboj said in his victory against a political heavyweight like SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, electors reposed faith in a call for a political change in Punjab. (HT Photo)

Of the total 1,70,734 votes polled, Kamboj got an impressive 90,308 votes whereas Sukhbir polled 59,934 votes.

It was for the second occasion in the four years when the Akalis faced defeat at Jalalabad.

Kamboj said in his victory against a political heavyweight like Sukhbir, electors reposed faith in a call for a political change in Punjab.

“The party has achieved a massive mandate and we will fulfil the commitment to work for the inclusive welfare. People have rejected the political arrogance and nepotism in hope of a changed regime,” said Kamboj.

A predominantly rural seat of Jalalabad in Fazilka district was one of the most keenly watched high-stakes seats from where former deputy chief minister and Ferozepur Lok Sabha MP Sukhbir Badal was contesting for the fourth time.

In the last 10 years, the segment saw two byelections after the Akali MLAs vacated the seats.

A greenhorn, Awla hogged the limelight after he breached the Akali bastion. But a millionaire industrialist was not been fielded this time.

In 2019, Kamboj, a former national secretary of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), wanted to contest the bypoll and he contested unsuccessfully as an independent after the Congress denied him a ticket.

Kamboj was a ticket aspirant in 2017 assembly polls too and at that time, Congress had fielded Ravneet Singh Bittu.

He lost the last election and this time Kamboj was taken lightly by the Akalis.

But riding on the AAP wave, Kamboj managed to penetrate the bastion of the SAD chief.