Formed after the recommendations of the Parliamentary Constituency Delimitation Commission, one of the prominent Lok Sabha constituencies, Anandpur Sahib came into existence in 2008. Later year Lok Sabha elections were held for the first time in 2009. Carved out of Rupnagar, the constituency divides the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Anandpur Sahib comprises of nine assembly seats, namely Ananadpur Sahib, Ropar, Chamkaur Sahib, Mohali, Kharar, Balachaur, Nawanshahr, Banga, and Garhshanka out of which the majority seats are ruled by Aam Aadmi Party.
Ever since it came into existence, Anandpur Sahib has undergone polling three times with Congress winning the seat twice in 2009 and 2019 and SAD once in 2014.
About 2024 Lok Sabha elections
The race for Lok Sabha tickets is now gaining momentum within the Anandpur Sahib Constituency. Despite past contenders like Prem Singh Chandumajra of the SAD and incumbent Manish Tewari from Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal’s Daljit Singh Cheema has publicly staked his claim. Chandumajra notably defeated senior Congress leader Ambika Soni in 2014 but faced defeat against Tewari in 2019.
From Congress, the sitting MP Manish Tewari is expected to contest again, alongside other potential candidates like former minister Pargat Singh, Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh, and former Punjab Youth Congress president Brinder Singh Dhillon. AAP’s Malvinder Singh Kang has already secured nomination, while BJP’s contenders include Avinash Rai Khanna, Subhash Sharma, and Ajayvir Singh Lalpura.
Take a look at past Lok Sabha Elections:
2019
In 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Congress gained the seat from SAD. INC Candidate Manish Tewari won the seat with 4,27,955 votes whereas his rival Prem Singh Chandumajra of SAD secured 3,81,161 votes and stood second. He lost the seat with a thin margin of 4.3 percent votes. Third place was secured by BSP’s candidate Vikramjeet Singh Sodhi with 1,46,441 votes whereas candidate of ruling state government Narinder Singh Shergill stood 4th with 53,052 votes.
2014
In 2014, seat was gained by SAD from Congress as SAD’s candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra emerged victorious by securing 3,47,394 votes and defeated Ambika Soni. Ambika Soni stood second and secured 3,23,697 votes. She lost the seat by margin of just 2.17 percent. Himmat Singh Shergill of AAP remained at 3rd place with 3,06,008 votes.
2009
Lok Sabha elections were held for the first time in 2009 and seat was won by Congress. Former Congress leader Ravneet Singh Bittu won the election. Bittu emerged victorious by securing 4,04,836 votes. His opponent Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, of SAD remained at second spot by securing 3,37,632 votes. Cheema lost the seat to Bittu by margin of 7.43 percent votes. Kewal Krishan of BSP stood 3rd with 1,18,088 votes.