Cong’s Sadiq locked in tough contest with former principal secy Guru for Bhadaur seat

Tapa Mandi, January 15
From dealing with politicians to themselves contesting poll, life has come full circle for Darbara Singh Guru, SAD candidate for Bhadaur (Reserved) seat, and his Congress opponent Mohammad Sadiq.
While the native Khuddi Khurd village of Guru, who resigned recently from the post of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister to jump into the poll fray, is part of the constituency, Sadiq, who remained associated with the Congress as a bard for its rallies, started his singing career from Bhadaur.
Both remained on the fringes of the political arena before they finally decided to throw their hats in the ring and seek the people's mandate to reach the assembly.
Guru held the most important administrative post while Sadiq pulled crowds for the Congress during rallies, thus, ensuring the party leaders had a receptive audience.
Though both the political greenhorns have achieved success in their own fields, they know the going may not be as easy in politics.
No wonder, they begin their day as early as possible by holding meetings with their campaign managers: friends from Chandigarh in case of Guru and son-in-law Suraj for Sadiq. This is followed by calling on party supporters and then hitting the road to meet voters and to hold public meetings. And that's not the end of the day. The evening engagements with party workers and voters at their respective residences keep them busy till as late as midnight.
While the former babu prefers to dress in a jacket and trousers, the bard dons white 'kurta pyjama' with a white turban. The difference between the two is not limited to dress code, their campaign style too varies.
Guru nods while meeting voters, albeit remaining slightly aloof, Sadiq, on the other hand, goes about greeting people with a hug or touching the feet of the elderly. Often elders stop him and ask him to sing a line from his popular song "Mukk gayi afeem dabbi ton yaaron, ajj koi amli da dang maaro…" And he readily obliges.
"I began my singing career from Bhadaur. I first got to sing in a Ram Lila function and play the 'tumbi' on stage. This place is very lucky for me and I am sure I will achieve success in politics too," he says. "Though it is traditionally an Akali seat, the SAD failed to bring about any development here. If I win, I will ensure better civic, education and health amenities."
Targeting Sadiq, Guru retorts: "Being an MLA is different from entertaining people. It's about deliverance. I am a son of the soil and will ensure development in the area."
If dissidence in the party is cause of concern for Sadiq, Guru is "hurt" at the Election Commission keeping the seat under scanner and declaring it as sensitive because of him being a candidate.
Post-delimitation, the profile of the constituency has changed manifold. It is a major reason why both the candidates are leaving no stone unturned. Before the delimitation process, Bhadaur had remained an Akali bastion and had always returned an Akali candidate to the assembly. But now with Tapa Mandi -- a Congress stronghold -- being included in the constituency, the going may not be that easy for the SAD.