The ensuing by-elections in India have a Dubai connection as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to field an NRI as its candidate for the Shahkot Assembly segment located in the state of Punjab.
The announcement was made by Manish Sisodia, AAP’s Punjab affairs in-charge and Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, shortly after the party finalised the candidate during a meeting in Chandigarh.
The NRI is Rattan Singh Kakkar Kalan (60) who runs a transport and construction business in Dubai. He joined the AAP in 2015 and is currently the party’s Doaba Zone general secretary.
Rattan Singh is from Kakkar Kalan village in Lohian, where he owns a house, and shuttles between Shahkot and Dubai, where his family lives.
Rattan Singh has two sons. One of his sons, after earning an MBBS degree from SGRD Medical College, Amritsar, is now pursuing post-graduate studies in the US. His other son graduated in engineering from Nottingham University and is now working in Dubai. He oversees the construction business.
Congress Party has fielded Hardey Singh Laddi Sherowalia as its candidate for the Shahkot assembly by-election while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has given the ticket to Naib Singh Kohar, the son of deceased Shahkot MLA Ajit Singh Kohar.
On May 28, elections to nine assembly seats besides Shahkot, and four Lok Sabha seats across 10 states will be conducted.