EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.VINAY KOCHHAR/CHANDIGARH.
Family ties often take interesting turns in state politics. Members of the same household frequently join different political parties, driven by the race for election tickets, political ambitions, and shifting political equations. Consequently, several political families in Punjab have divided into opposing camps.
Manohar Singh, brother of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, contested the 2022 election as an independent candidate from Bassi Pathana after failing to secure a ticket from the Congress party. Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa and his brother Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa offer another example; while Pratap Bajwa remained with the Congress (serving as the Leader of the Opposition), Fateh Jang joined the BJP.
The paths of cousins within the Badal family also diverged. Manpreet Singh Badal left the Akali Dal to form the People’s Party of Punjab, subsequently joining the Congress and later the BJP, whereas Sukhbir Singh Badal continued to lead the Akali Dal. Ravneet Singh Bittu, grandson of the late Chief Minister Beant Singh, left the Congress to join the BJP in 2024, while his cousin Gurkirat Singh Kotli remained with the Congress, serving as an MLA and minister. In Batala, Ashwani Sekhri and Indervir Singh Sekhri contested elections against each other in 2017. Although both later joined the BJP, a land dispute between them escalated into a physical altercation in 2023.
Political Divisions in the Chaudhary and Nabha Families
Political rifts also emerged within the Chaudhary family of Jalandhar. Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, wife of former MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary, left the Congress to join the BJP in 2024, while her son Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary remained with the Congress. Karamjit Kaur’s dissatisfaction regarding ticket allocation and perceived political neglect became a topic of public discussion. Randeep Singh Nabha is a senior Congress leader and former minister, whereas his brother, Jasdeep Singh Nikku, chose to join the Aam Aadmi Party.
Shifting Allegiances in the Maluka and Jakhar Families
Sikandar Singh Maluka is a veteran leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal and a former minister. His daughter-in-law, Parampal Kaur Sidhu—a former IAS officer—joined the BJP. His son, Gurpreet Singh Maluka, also joined the BJP alongside his wife. Former Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar left the Congress to join the ranks of senior BJP leaders, whereas his nephew, Ajay Kumar Jakhar, has pursued a different political path. This illustrates that members of political families do not necessarily share the same ideology.
Divergent paths for the Kamboj father and son
Jalalabad MLA Jagdeep Singh Goldy Kamboj belongs to the Aam Aadmi Party, while his father, Surinder Kamboj, chose the path of the Bahujan Samaj Party; Surinder Kamboj even contested the Lok Sabha elections. This case exemplifies how a father and son can hold differing political preferences. In Punjab’s political landscape, even blood ties do not always supersede political affiliations; factors such as election tickets, ambition, and ideology often drive a wedge within families.###USA###UK###Punjab###politics###news###Australia###newzealand###