On a losing spree since 1985, the Congress has played the Rai Sikh card in this border Lok Sabha seat, fielding rebel Akali MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, who will be taking on his one-time benefactor Sukhbir Singh Badal for whom he had vacated his Assembly seat of Jalalabad in 2009 to make way for the latter’s maiden entry to the Vidhan Sabha. 
A decade later, things have taken a U-turn with both Sukhbir and Ghubaya pitted against one another in this high-stakes battle. While the Congress is trying to cash in on the sizeable Rai Sikh votes, which were instrumental in Ghubaya’s win in 2009 and 2014, the SAD has fielded its chief  Sukhbir as it considers this seat safe. It is yet to be seen if the Congress gamble of nominating a turncoat Rai Sikh leader will pay off. Ghubaya is confident of his winning streak but it will not be an easy task for him because of the strife within the Congress. He is unlikely to get the support of all MLAs and ex-MLAs. Also, a section of Rai Sikhs is  not amused at his switching sides.