Punjab polls: The BIG names in the fray

Parkash Singh Badal:

One of the big names facing off in Punjab's single-phase election on Monday is Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Currently serving his fourth term, the Congress leader has served as CM from 2002 to 2007. The Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch is contesting from his home constituency Lambi.

His main rivals are younger brother and People's Party of Punjab candidate Gurdas Singh Badal, and Congress nominee Mahesh Inder Singh Badal, a second cousin of the Badal brothers.

In the fight for the CM's post he faces tough competition from Punjab Congress chief and the maharaja of Patiala Captian Amarinder Singh.

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Captain Amarinder Singh:

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh is Congress chief ministerial candidate in Punjab. He is seeking re-election from the Patiala City assembly constituency.

Patiala is witnessing battle royale as the Captain and his family stands united against his brother Malvinder Singh, who recently split from the party and joined the Akalis.

Malvinder Singh was upset for he was denied ticket for the Samana constituency in the Patiala district that went to his nephew and Amarinder's son Raninder Singh.

Sukhbir Singh Badal:

Badal's son Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is currently the deputy chief minister and president of the Akali Dal is contesting from the Jalalabad constituency. He has decided to focus on development plank in the ensuing polls.

Raninder Singh:

Raninder Singh, son of Congress leader and former chief minister Amarinder Singh, is the Congress candidate for the Samana assembly seat where he faces his uncle Malvinder.

He is better known in political circles as well in the sports fraternity as 'Tikku'.

Given his erstwhile royal status as the 13th descendant of the Patiala royal family and his father's clout in state politics, Raninder is referred to as 'Tikku ji' (ji is for respect) even by the Congress leaders.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal's estranged nephew Manpreet Singh Badal is contesting from Gidderbaha as People's Party of Punjab nominee.

He left the Akali Dal in March 2010 following differences over governance. Soon after ending things on a bitter note with his uncle, and cousin and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, Manpreet floated his own People's Party of Punjab.