MLA report card: Sukhjinder Randhawa and Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa

Sukhjinder S Randhawa, 57, Congress

Constituency: Dera Baba Nanak

Education: Graduate

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 2.6 cr

Electroral record

2012: Defeated SAD rival Sucha Singh Langah by a margin of 2,940 votes.

2007: Lost from Fatehgarh Churian; this segment came up later, after delimitation

Assembly record

Questions asked: 42

Call attention moved: 0

Power punch: Gurdaspur Cong chief, close to Capt Amarinder Singh

What next Assured of ticket due to proximity with Amarinder, popularity

How he performed

The MLA was unable to bring any development or major projects for his constituency for which he blames the state government as grants were routed through Akali leaders. He organised a number of protests both at the district level and in his constituency to highlight the alleged misdeeds of the SAD-BJP combine. He even stormed a police station in his area along with state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh to protest against the arrest of his supporters. he is popular for being vocal. Randhawa remained in touch with voters but boycotted the district planning board meetings after issues that he raised were not addressed. All in all, he remained at the forefront to defend his supporters whenever they were allegedly harassed by the police.

By the way Remains an avid farmer

Voterspeak

“I am satisfied with the performance of the MLA. Though the area did not see any development, despite being in opposition he kept in touch with voters and raised our issues,” Rajesh Mahajan, 45, shopkeeper, said.

“Though he was in opposition, he managed to make streetlights in Dera Baba Nanak town functional and also raised the issue of choked sewers,” Arpit Kumar, 35, footwear trader, said.

Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, 73, Congress

Constituency: Fatehgarh Churian

Education: Graduate

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 6 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated the then assembly speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon of SAD by 639 votes

2007: Didn’t contest here, lost in Qadian; Nirmal Singh Kahlon won this seat for SAD

Assembly record

Questions asked: 42

Call attention moved: 1

Power punch Three-time MLA, is in good books of Capt Amarinder

What next Almost certain to get the ticket due to record, connections

How he performed

Though he remained in touch with the people of his constituency and was often seen moving around, he could not do much as far as development was concerned. No major project or even basic development was carried out at a significant scale. For this, he blames the SAD-BJP regime. He was instrumental in taking part in protests organised by his party in his constituency and district headquarters Gurdaspur. He stood by his party workers, including sarpanches, and lodged his protests before government officials whenever he felt that fabricated cases were slapped against them at the behest of political opponents. A soft-spoken politician, he is at times even praised by those belonging to other political parties.

Voterspeak

“There has been no development but the MLA is not at fault. Akali leaders took all decisions. He was available to the people. There remains a lack of health, education facilities,” Raghubir Singh, 80, farmer, said.

“There are a lot of issues, including unemployment, for which our MLA did nothing except blaming the Akali-BJP government. He did remain available,” Raj Kiran Singh, 28, defence personnel, said.