Candidates from Hoshiarpur

The main fight is between Congress’ Mohinder Singh Kaypee and BJP’s Vijay Sampla, both new to the constituency. While Kaypee is the sitting MP from Jalandhar, Sampla also belongs to the neighbouring district. The ‘outsider’ tag has given ammunition to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Bhagwan Singh Chohan and the Aam Aadmi Party’s Yamini Gomar to question their claims, but the past record shows that people of this constituency have been receptive to ‘stranger’ candidates — Giani Zail Singh, Darbara Singh and Kanshi Ram, to name a few.

CONGRESS

MOHINDER KAYPEE, 57

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A seasoned politician, this is his second LS election after having won in 2009 from Jalandhar. Although all Congress factions have united for his sake, the former PPCC president and cabinet minister has to cover a lot of ground in a short span. He harps on Congress tagline, ‘Har haath shakti, har haath tarakki’, at public meetings and hopes that people would vote against ‘atrocities’ of SAD-BJP govt.BJP

VIJAY SAMPLA, 52

Prominent Dalit face of the BJP. Has held important national and state-level posts in the organisation. This is his first big-ticket election. He has been sarpanch of his native village, Sofi, in Jalandhar district. During public interactions, he flaunts his humble origin. “Sampla is not the candidate, it’s Narendra Modi, it’s Parkash Singh Badal for whom you have to vote,” he repeats at poll rallies. Trying hard to keep the BJP flock together.BSP

BHAGWAN SINGH CHOHAN, 55

Joined the party in early 1990s. In 2012, contested assembly polls from Sham Churasi. Aggressive campaigner and ambitious politician. He had sworn not to wear any colour other than black till the day BSP formed its govt and stuck to his stand till the party came to power in UP. Had got the LS ticket early, but had withdrawn his name from the contest citing family reasons, only to be renominated by the party.AAP

YAMINI GOMAR, 39