*Chandigarh, Nov 2 (IANS)* – Ahead of the crucial Chabbewal bypoll on November 13, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab scored a major political win as prominent Congress leaders, Kulwinder Singh Rasulpuri and Gurpreet Singh, shifted their allegiance to AAP. This development comes as a setback to the Congress, which faces four critical bypolls after several of its former MLAs left for the Lok Sabha earlier this year.
Kulwinder Singh Rasulpuri, a seasoned Congress figure with 35 years in the party, joined AAP alongside Gurpreet Singh, the influential grandson of former MLA Chaudhary Ram Charan. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Hoshiarpur MP Rajkumar Chabbewal formally welcomed the new members in a ceremony, stating that the additions will strengthen AAP in Chabbewal and the larger Hoshiarpur region. Mann expressed confidence that these additions would secure AAP's victory in the Chabbewal seat. Why Kulwinder Singh Rasulpuri Joined AAP
Rasulpuri, a former Vice-President of the Punjab Congress Trading Cell and District Congress Committee of Hoshiarpur, was initially promised the Congress ticket for the Chabbewal bypoll. However, feeling sidelined when the Congress did not fulfill its promise, he decided to leave and join AAP. Rasulpuri’s deep community ties—evidenced by his 20 years as president of the Sarpanch Union in Mahilpur block—are likely to bolster AAP’s grassroots appeal in Chabbewal.
Gurpreet Singh’s Political Heritage
Gurpreet Singh, who initially filed as an independent candidate, also brings historical significance and influence. His grandfather, Chaudhary Ram Ratan, served as the MLA from Chabbewal from 1962 to 1967. Gurpreet’s alignment with AAP adds credibility and influence, as he is a respected figure in the area with ties to the region's legacy politics.
Strategic Importance of Punjab Bypolls
The bypolls were triggered by Congress MLAs transitioning to Lok Sabha seats. Notable shifts include Congress legislator Amrinder Singh Raja Warring moving from Gidderbaha to Ludhiana and former Congress MLA Raj Kumar Chabbewal, now an AAP member, being elected to Hoshiarpur’s Lok Sabha seat. Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, formerly of Dera Baba Nanak, and AAP’s Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, previously from Barnala, both left for parliamentary seats, creating a vacuum in the Assembly.
The bypoll is expected to draw intense political focus as both AAP and Congress strive to assert their influence. Chief Minister Mann has vowed that his administration, with the support of these new leaders, will continue to drive development and progress in Chabbewal.
Voter and Polling Details
According to Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C., there are a total of 6, 96, 316 eligible voters across the four constituencies with 831 polling stations in place. Specific numbers for each constituency include:
- **Dera Baba Nanak:** 1, 93, 268 voters and 241 polling stations
- **Chabbewal:** 1, 59, 254 voters and 205 polling stations
- **Gidderbaha:** 1, 66, 489 voters with 173 stations
- Barnala:** 1, 77, 305 voters with 212 stations
With the bypoll election date nearing, this political reconfiguration marks a critical juncture for both AAP and Congress in Punjab.