Will darkhorse Mann play spoiler for Singla, Dhindsa in Sangrur

The traditional seat has always witnessed a direct contest between the Congress and the Akalis

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Press Trust of India Sangrur (Punjab)
Last Updated : Apr 22 2014 | 12:27 PM IST
This traditional Lok Sabha seat, which has always witnessed a direct contest between the Congress and the Akalis, may throw up a surprise this Lok Sabha poll as AAP candidate Bhagwant Mann is being viewed as the dark horse in the battle of the ballot.

Sitting Congress MP Vijay Inder Singh Singla, known for his close proximity to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and SAD Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, a close associate of SAD leader Parkash Singh Badal, is facing a stiff challenge from comedian-turned-politician Mann.

In the 2009 general polls, Singla had defeated Dhindsa by a margin of 40,872 votes.

The key issues concerning the people include corruption, unemployment, poverty, price rise, drug mafia and skewed development.

Mann, who is also facing a namesake as independent, had recently left the Manpreet Singh Badal led Peoples Party of Punjab on whose ticket he had unsuccessfully contested the 2012 Assembly polls from Lehragagga Assembly segment.

"This is a fight between the common man and politicians," Mann says. "Due to the struggle between the Congress and SAD, the people of Sangrur have always remained at the receiving end," he said.

Mann, known for his satires against the system, claims that both the SAD and Congress have ditched the people, particularly youth with their false promises.
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First Published: Apr 22 2014 | 12:17 PM IST