Punjab polls: Multi-contest in Bathinda; Why ‘silent’ voters hold the key

• This time Punjab is likely to witness a fractured mandate. Unlike earlier assembly elections, where Congress or Akali Dal were the only 2 competitors, this time Punjab will see a multi-cornered fight. In the Bathinda Urban seat however, there is a close contest between the Congress, Akali Dal, BJP and AAP. The 4-cornered fight, campaigns echoing different issues and leaders who have defected have turned the voters silent. The situation seems palpable, as there are no political debates in any corner of the city. Manpreet Badal, a minister in Charanjit Singh Channi cabinet is running for re-election. Jagroop Singh Gill, a sitting senior councillor who defected from the Congress to join the AAP, is now contesting as an AAP candidate against his former party colleague Manpreet. Similarly, Raj Nambardar, who abandoned the Congress, is running for the BJP in this seat. Former MLA Sarup Chand Singla is contesting on a Shiromani Akali Dal ticket. Watch this video for more details.