Punjab Poll: Also a battleground for former IAS, Army officers and cops

PUNJAB poll scheduled to be held on February 4 will also see many a battle of former civil servants including cops and Army officers. Here are a few prominent former officers given tickets by ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the two main challengers — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. Here below are the details:

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)

JJ Singh, 71 Years

* Contesting from Patiala (Urban) against Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh

* Joined SAD last week.

* A former Indian Army chief, Singh also served as a governor of Arunachal Pradesh. Son of an Army officer, Singh’s family migrated from Pakistan to Patiala after partition. 

* In his circle, he was affectionately called “General JJ”.

* An ace shooter, Singh plays basketball, squash and golf. 

* Also a mountaineer who undertook training under Tenzing Norgay at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.

Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, 59 Years 

* Contesting from Mohali seat on a SAD ticket.

* A former Army officer who joined Punjab Civil Service in 1989. Elevated to IAS in 2012.

* Politically connected, as he is the son-in-law of Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.

Jagraon S R Kaler

* A former IAS and MLA

* To fight from Nihal Singh Wala seat on SAD ticket

DS Guru

* A former IAS and principal secretary to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

* To fight elections on SAD ticket from Bassi Pathana.

* Lost last assembly poll (2012) from Bhadaur seat.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

Kartar Singh, 63 Years

* This former sportsman and cop will fight from Tarn Taran constituency on an AAP ticket.

* A wrestler who won gold medals at the Asian Games in 1978 and 1986.

* Received the Arjuna award in 1982. 

* Joined the police force and served as Superintendent of Police in Jalandhar. Later became Inspector General of Police in Punjab. Was also the Director of Sports of Punjab.

Sajjan Singh Cheema 

* This former basketball player and former superintendent of police will contest from Sultanpur Lodhi seat on an AAP ticket.

* Represented India in 1982 Asian Games.

* Was also a deputy commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Ludhiana.

Congress

Kuldeep Singh Vaid, 56 Years 
* A former IAS officer, Vaid will fight the assembly poll on a Congress ticket from Gill assembly seat, Ludhiana. 

* A former IAS (promoted) who served as Deputy Commissioner of Moga, Punjab.