Congress Leader Jeetmohinder Sidhu Establishes New Political Base in Maur
In a significant political development, Congress leader Jeetmohinder Singh Sidhu, a four-time MLA from Talwandi Sabo, has officially shifted his political base to Maur in Bathinda district. The move was marked by the inauguration of his new office-cum-residence on Sunday, attended by prominent party figures.
High-Profile Attendance at Inauguration Ceremony
The event saw the presence of several key Congress leaders, including Partap Singh Bajwa, the Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, and former minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar. Other notable attendees were Barnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon, former Fazilka MLA Mohinder Kumar Rinwa, and Balkaur Singh, father of the late singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu Moosewala.
Sidhu's Political Journey and Electoral History
Jeetmohinder Sidhu has had a dynamic political career, winning as a Congress nominee in the Assembly elections of 2002, 2007, and 2012. However, in 2014, he left the Congress, resigned as MLA, and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) during the SAD-BJP regime. He contested and won a bypoll on the SAD ticket before rejoining the Congress in 2023. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, he contested from Bathinda as the Congress candidate but finished third, losing to Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Strategic Move and Future Aspirations
Speaking to the media, Sidhu expressed his keen interest in contesting the upcoming Assembly election from Maur. "I am keen to contest the Assembly election from Maur as this seat has been lying almost vacant for some time," he stated. He highlighted his connection to the area, noting that several villages in Maur were previously part of the Talwandi Sabo Assembly segment. Sidhu added that while he will be based in Maur, his son remains active in Talwandi Sabo.
Political Dynamics in Maur and Talwandi Sabo
The political landscape in Maur is complex, with former Congress MLA Jagdev Singh Kamalu active on the ground, while Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana serves as the incumbent AAP MLA. The SAD has appointed former minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon as its constituency in-charge for Maur. In Talwandi Sabo, Congress leader Khushbaz Singh Jattana, who unsuccessfully contested in 2017 and 2022, is reportedly at odds with Sidhu, adding to intra-party tensions.
Bajwa's Comments on Punjab Politics
During the event, Partap Bajwa addressed broader political issues, criticizing the SAD-BJP dynamics. He alleged that the BJP has weakened regional leaders in other states and warned the Badal family of a similar fate. Targeting the AAP-led state government, Bajwa remarked, "Those who earlier were not even saluted by a constable are now being saluted by the Director General of Police. People are also reluctant to step out of their homes after 5 pm due to the prevailing law and order situation. Is this the change they promised?"
This relocation by Sidhu is seen as a strategic maneuver to strengthen Congress's presence in Maur, potentially reshaping electoral contests in the region. As a landlord and businessman, his move could influence local voter sentiment and party dynamics ahead of the next Assembly polls.
