CHANDIGARH: For the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the SAD has chosen Hardeep Buterla, a politician-cum-businessman, to contest against BJP’s Sanjay Tandon and Congress’s Manish Tewari in the UT.
Chandigarh is gearing up for a three-cornered contest with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announcing councillor Hardeep Buterla as its candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency from Chandigarh on Monday. This announcement by SAD chief Sukhbir Badal marks the party’s first-ever participation in the Lok Sabha polls in Chandigarh.
Hardeep Buterla, aged 41 and a resident of Buterla, has a political background with his father, Gurnam Singh, and brother, Malkiat Singh, previously serving as councillors of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation in 2006 and 2011. Tragically, both Gurnam Singh and Malkiat Singh passed away while in office. Following his brother’s demise in 2015, Hardeep stepped into politics and has been elected as a councillor in 2015, 2016, and 2021. He has also held positions of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor.
In 2018, Hardeep was appointed as the SAD chief of Chandigarh. While in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, Hardeep maintained an alliance with the BJP. However, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the SAD has chosen Hardeep, who also runs a tent business, to contest against BJP’s Sanjay Tandon and Congress’s Manish Tewari.
Known for his influence in the villages, particularly Buterla, Hardeep has consistently advocated for equitable development between rural and urban areas in Chandigarh. He has highlighted the disparity in developmental efforts targeting villages during his tenure.
Speaking to the media, Hardeep expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of BJP and Congress councillors, stating, “People have grown weary of the inaction and neglect by BJP and Congress representatives. Local issues persist without resolution.” He further added, “With the SAD entering the fray in Chandigarh’s Lok Sabha elections for the first time, we anticipate a shift in voter sentiment. In the 2021 corporation polls, people showed their disillusionment with the BJP and Congress, opting for alternatives like AAP. This time, they will choose us.” Hardeep emphasized his commitment to addressing these issues once elected to office.
Tragedy struck the Buterla family during a study tour to Port Blair when Hardeep’s brother, Malkiat, complained of severe stomach pain. Malkiat, aged 36, was rushed to AIIMS-Delhi but unfortunately passed away. Recently, the mayor issued a notice for the removal of a memorial gate erected in Malkiat’s memory, sparking controversy within the general house.
Historically, the SAD has supported BJP candidates in Chandigarh during the Lok Sabha polls. However, this election cycle marks a departure from that alliance as the SAD opts to field its candidate independently for the first time.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Chandigarh witnessed a 74.2 per cent voter turnout, with BJP’s Kirron Kher securing victory over former Congress Minister Pawan Bansal.
This victory mirrored Kher’s win in 2014 when the Bollywood actress garnered 231,188 votes compared to Bansal’s 184,218.
Prior to Kher’s tenure, Pawan Bansal, a Congress leader, had represented Chandigarh for three consecutive terms — 1999, 2004, and 2009.