The results of 2012 assembly elections from Kapurthala district haven't been surprising barring Sultanpur Lodhi, where finance minister, Upinderjit Kaur was uprooted by Navtej Singh Cheema, a young leader from Congress.
Out of Kapurthala's four constituencies, Congress and SAD/BJP shared 2 seats each. In Sultanpur Lodhi, Navtej Cheema defeated SAD heavyweight Upinderjit Kaur by a margin of 4267 votes.
"It is the vote against her (Bibi) indifferent attitude towards the development of area. She was an undisputed leader of the area but did very little for the people," said jubilant Navtej Singh adding, "and it proved costly for her.
For the last ten years, I went to each and every corner of the constituency. People recognised my efforts and made me victorious. The most important thing is that no star icon ever visited my constituency."
Jaimal Singh, a former associate of Bibi and former president of Sultanpur Nagar council, bagged 2274 votes for the Peoples Party of Punjab.
In Kapurthala constituency, Rana Gurjit Singh succeeded for the fourth consecutive time. He defeated SAD candidate Sarabjeet Singh Makkar, a former MLA from Adampur Doaba by an impressive margin of 14471 votes. PPP's Raghbir Singh, former SAD minister could not even secure his deposit as he was only polled 948 votes.
Makkar, though an outsider, was considered the strongest candidate from Shiromani Akali Dal and has worked tirelessly in the area for the last three years. "Our party is back in power again, this is more important. My defeat is disappointing but I would keep working for the people of the area," he said.
Inside party sources revealed, "Makkar has an arrogant style of working and he tried to use might to take control over elections while, Rana Gurjit has the best public relations strategy and he seems to be leader of masses."
Sukhpal Khaira, the sitting Congress MLA was defeated by Bibi Jagir Kaur, former SGPC president by a margin of 6928 votes in Bholath constituency. Bibi was polled 49,213 votes while Khaira was polled 42,285 votes.
Makkar, though an outsider, was considered the strongest candidate from Shiromani Akali Dal and has worked tirelessly in the area for the last three years. "Our party is back in power again, this is more important. My defeat is disappointing but I would keep working for the people of the area," he said.
Inside party sources revealed, "Makkar has an arrogant style of working and he tried to use might to take control over elections while, Rana Gurjit has the best public relations strategy and he seems to be leader of masses."
Sukhpal Khaira, the sitting Congress MLA was defeated by Bibi Jagir Kaur, former SGPC president by a margin of 6928 votes in Bholath constituency. Bibi was polled 49,213 votes while Khaira was polled 42,285 votes.
Gurmeet Singh Nadala of PPP got 1832 votes in his constituency while Jagpreet Singh of BSP got 893 votes. "People of this area have given clear mandate against Congress propaganda and in favour of developmental works done by previous government," Bibi said.
In Phagwara, Som Nath of BJP who bagged 46,223 defeated Balbir Raja Sodhi of Congress by a margin of 14,579 votes in what seemed to be a keenly fought contest as BSP candidate Jarnail Nangal secured a decent 26165 votes. Mulk Raj of PPP got 5173 votes.