Fate locked in EVMs, Punjab hopefuls on snooze break

Sources close to the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said he is likely to stay at his house in Badal village, which resembles a European hamlet.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal casting his vote for Assembly polls in Badal village in Muktsar district on Saturday. | PTI

CHANDIGARH: Even as Punjab went to the polls on Saturday, ending the month-long campaigning process, and with more than a month left for the announcement of results, politicians are finding different ways to while away the time.

While some want to relax and catch up on sleep, others will be busy meeting party members.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate from Patiala (Urban), former Army chief General J J Singh (Retd) said, “I will play golf with my son, before he returns to France. He had come here to help me with campaigning.” Singh will also be on a house-hunting mission. “I want to buy a house in Patiala and settle down. We stay in a rented accommodation now.”

Sources close to the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said he is likely to stay at his house in Badal village, which resembles a European hamlet, for a couple of days before returning to Chandigarh. The 89-year-old leader was also not keeping well and was advised by doctors to take rest. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal will either stay in Badal village or go to Delhi.

The Congress’ star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu may return to Mumbai and finish his pending shoots. He had left them midway and come to Punjab for campaigning work.

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh will be in Chandigarh holding meetings. “For the next few days, I will be in Chandigarh to take stock of the situation. This time, I will a miss to give Chail, in Himachal Pradesh, as it is very cold now,” he said.

His party colleague Sunil Jakhar, who is hoping to win for the fourth time in a row from Abohar, will go to Delhi and meet his family before starting with the constituency work.

Some candidates, on condition of anonymity, said they will travel to Kerala to enjoy the backwaters. “We want to unwind before the election results are declared,” they said.

For SAD-BJP candidate Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, life will revert to the routine. “I will get up around 5 am, freshen up and go to the farm. Sometimes I walk around the field or do a bit of gardening. And then I drive around in my tractor,” he said.

AAP’s Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi and Sukhpal Singh Khaira want to spend time with their families and so does AAP’s Bhagwant Mann.