A sitting MP, a rebel, a legislator and a former deputy chief minister- the battle for this year's most prestigious seat in Punjab, Bathinda is hotting up with all three key players resting their stakes on this southern district of the state. Traditionally a Badal pocket borough, the city will witness a fierce contest between Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and last election's dark horse Aam Aadmi Party as it famously becomes a matter of prestige for the trio.
In 2014, an aggressive clash ensued between members of the Badal family with sitting MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal locking horns with estranged brother-in-law Manpreet Singh Badal who contested on the Congress symbol as an alliance contender for Congress-People's Party of Punjab. Even as speculations are rife that she may pave way for her husband and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and contest from Ferozepur, sources in the party say that her decisive wins in the last two Lok Sabha elections will bring her back on the seat.