Punjab Assembly Poll-2022: Ferozepur Urban at a glance

Ferozepur, January 31, 2022: Ferozepur Urban constituency was constituted in 1952 and none of the women candidates has been elected whereas 10 times Congress, and 6 times BJP candidates have been elected so far.  For the last two terms, Parminder Singh Pinky is MLA in Ferozepur Urban.

There are 7,14,685 electors as per the final list in District Ferozepur in four constituencies – Zira, Ferozepur Urban, Ferozepur Rural, and Guruharsahai with 3,75,845 ale, 3,38,825 female and 15 transgender.  In Zira, 1,85,711 voters – 98,124 male, 87,585 female and 2 transgender, In Ferozepur Urban, 1,68,863 voters – 89,355 male, 79,503 female and 5 transgender, in Ferozepur Rural, 1,93,321 voters – 1,01,585 male, 91,734 female and 4 transgender and in Guruharsahai 1,66,790 voters – 86,783 male, 80,003 female and 4 transgender.

Now, during the Assembly polls 2022, Parminder Singh Pinky two-time MLA has been again fielded.  The other candidates in the fray are Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, who was a four-time Congress MLA from Guruharsahai but is considered as a weak point for him being a parachute candidate.  SAD too has fielded Rohit Vohra alias Montu Vohra. He too is a new parachute candidate and there had been controversy in the party on this issue. Another fourth candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is Ranbir Singh Bhullar.  He too is from Ferozepur Rural and lacks grip over the voters.

However, it is going to be a multi-cornered contest in Ferozepur Urban and Rural constituencies.  This time, with the entry of the Aam Admi Party (AAP), separately by BJP and SAD on breaking of the alliance, and fielding of parachute candidates, the election is going to be more interesting and tough as well. The winning margin will be considerably reduced.

Apart from Congress, both SAD and BJP candidates are from Guruharsahai.  While Rana Sodhi has recently joined BJP saying goodbye to Congress, Rohit Vohra too from Guruharsahi is the first time contender for Assembly elections. AAP candidate is also contesting for the first time.

Voter’s expectations: 9 years on, the PGI Satellite Centre is yet to come up.  The residents in the event of an emergency have to move to far-off places for treatment. Law and order control and of course, the best sewerage system which choked during the rainy season. Opening of Hussainiwala border like Wagah border.  Setting up of some industrial units to absorb the local youths.

Agenda: Development is the main agenda with special focus on health facilities – setting up of PGI Satellite Centre for which the Foundation Stone could not be laid by the Prime Minister rather a security breach issue cropped up as PM has to go back after 20 minutes waiting at the flyover near Piarana, just 10 km from Ferozepur.  This time, the reopening of the Hussainiwala border is no more a priority for parties.

Concern: Though it is going to be a multi-cornered contest this time with four major parties – Congress, BJP, SAD, and AAP along with  Sanjha Sayunkt Morcha and  Independent candidates in the field – with the use of personal influence by all the candidates irrespective of any political parties yet Parachute candidates is a major concern of locals, the benefit of which is likely to go to the other candidates.