These elections will be a great gamble. This is evident from the Congress’s show of cards. The pack of candidates that the party has revealed makes it clear that the contest will be a fierce one, as every single seat counts, given the UPA’s fading equation with its allies.

The Congress’ concern to up the tally for a repeat performance of the UPA is also evident from the fact that it has decided to field two sitting MLAs in a state where the Congress is in the Opposition. Winning back these two seats in case the two MLAs manage to bag the parliamentary seats of Amritsar and Gurdaspur is a tough task that the AICC has chosen.

If the Congress has preferred to repose trust in its young blood to take on the ruling combine, the Akali Dal’s choice of candidates is a queer mix with at least half-a-dozen new faces, essentially to do away with the anti-incumbency on some of the seats. Both the parties have a lot at stake. For Amarinder to ensure his son’s victory from Bathinda will be an issue arguably beyond party politics and son-rise.

Two representatives of the Congress high command— AICC spokesperson Manish Tiwari, who is close to 10, Janpath, and CWC member Jagmeet Brar— have to live up to the expectation of their political lords. Brar has opposition within his party in his constituency.

The Congress reply to the Akali Dal succeeding to woo its once-trusted leader and now SAD nominee Gurcharan Galib from Ludhiana, comes in the form of SS Libra, the MP from Ropar whom the Congress gave ticket against Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Charanjit Atwal.

... contd.