BATHINDA: Slain rapper Sidhu Moose Wala‘s father, Balkaur Singh, on Sunday announced he wanted to contest the 2027 Punjab assembly elections from Mansa — a constituency from where Moose Wala had contested the 2022 assembly election on a Congress ticket, but lost to the AAP candidate. Although Balkaur had previously hinted at entering politics, he made it clear on Sunday that he wanted to contest the next assembly election from Mansa and take his son’s son photo to the legislative assembly, as his son could not enter it in 2022.

A Congress party observer had reached Mansa to oversee preparations for elections to the post of Mansa district president. Apart from other functionaries, Balkaur also addressed the programme. “I was feeling that after losing my son, people might go away, but I feel the people of Mansa are still standing by us, which gives me a lot of strength to fight the political battle. As the fight is tough and I do not have much manpower, I hope people will keep standing by me and will work hard to ensure our victory,” he said.Soon after he lost the election from Mansa, Moose Wala was killed on May 29, 2022, at Jawaharke village near Mansa.Balkaur Singh’s brother, Chamkaur Singh, told TOI the family was hopeful of the Congress giving the ticket to him. “We have started preparations for the big fight,” he added. Many people used to assemble at his residence in Moosa village on Sundays. On certain occasions, Balkaur hinted at joining politics, and he later joined the Congress. At present, he has been involved in the trial of his son. During the last hearing on Sept 26, the examination-in-chief of Balkaur Singh was to be completedm but it could be done due to his appointment in a hospital. During the previous hearing on Sept 12, it was partly recorded. The matter has now been adjourned to Oct 17.