The BJP candidate, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who was accompanied by India's Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, filed his nomination papers for the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency on Friday.
A professional diplomat turned politician, Sandhu filed his nomination papers after leading a roadshow with Jaishankar. It was his maiden electoral plunge.
"Sandhu would certainly emerge victorious from Amritsar. The people of Amritsar would send him to Delhi as their MP. He would prove to be an ideal MP, as during his long tenure as Ambassador of India to the United States, he did a great service," said Jaishankar, who exuded confidence about Sandhu's winning prospects.
"Sandhu as a diplomat has brought great glory to our country. Now he would channelize his dedication and energy toward serving Amritsar, the city of Guru sahib," Jaishankar added.
Sandhu began the day with prayers at the Chhevin Patshahi Gurdwara and later visited the Ram Dham Mandir, sending out a message of his inclusivity towards all sections.
The BJP recruit from March 19, after he demitted as Ambassador of India to the United States in Washington DC, Sandhu has since embarked upon a campaign trail, staying focused on reaching out to the grievances of farmers living on the borders of India and Pakistan.
On Wednesday, while addressing a farmers' gathering in Zirpur village of Amritsar district, located near the Zero Line, Sandhu listened to their problems while articulating his vision to revive the border belts.
Sandhu is from a family of long line of leaders. He is the descendant of Teja Singh Samundri, a stalwart Congress leader and a founder member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). His father Bishan Singh Samundri was the founder Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University and his mother Jagjit Kaur was the principal of Government College for Women, Amritsar.
Sandhu's family legacy reflects a strong commitment to service and social reform as his grandfather boldly resigned from the British Army in pursuit of India's independence and gurdwara reforms.
With the polling scheduled for Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha seats on June 1, the candidature of Sandhu presents an amalgamation of diplomatic acumen and grassroots advocacy poised at addressing the aspirations of Amritsar's constituents.
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