Rs.400 crore betting over Punjab election results

CHANDIGARH: While the political leaders, voters and bureacracy in Punjab have crossed fingers over outcome of Punjab assembly results to be declared on February 27, the betting (Satta) is picking up on the victory of two key players Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president Parkash Singh Badal and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh of Congress party.

According to an estimate satta market in India has put at stake over Rs.400 crores for the victory of SAD. Maximum money has been put on Captain Amarinder Singh which means that he is going to loose the battle. In betting parlance, the minimum money played on the winner. Only five percent money is put on Badal.

The Satta players are of the view that Congress could win 30 to 35 seats and SAD may win over 75 seats. A Satta operator said that they were accepting higher betting for Amarinder Singh for whome they are ready to pay twenty times while for Badal they would not pay doble the amount. Which means Badal has high ranking and more chances of victory.

Interestingly, the Satta market is also betting on possibility of Sukhbir Singh Badal becoming Chief Minsiter of Punjab.

Satta is also being played for deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Congress candiate from Legraga where SAD candiate Prem Singh Chandumajra is projected the winner. There are few people who are ready to play for PPCC president Shamsher Singh Dullo. Most of the Satta operators see Dullo as defeated candiate. There are 60 percent chances of victory f Navjot Sidhu's victory from Amritsar Lok Sabha seat while 40 percent chances are of his defeat.

In Doaba region the maximum Satta is being played for seats of Nawan Shehar, Banga, Balacuar, Phagwara, Garh Shankar, Mahil pur and Jalandhar Cantt. The highest bid is made for Jagbir Singh Brar SAD candiate from Jalasndhar cantt. His rate was 50 paise during campaigning and now it is 65-70 paise. Tejinder Singh Bittu Congress candiate from Jalndhar north seat is also an attraction for Satta players. His rate is 70 paise. Rajbans Kaur wife of MP Rana Gurjit Singh in Kapurthala is getting bid at the rate of 55 paise and 45 paise on SAD cnadiate Ragjbir Singh. In Bhulath constituency where former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur is candidate over Rs.five crore was booked till Saturday.

If one has to belive the Satta market, Harminder Singh Jassi Congress candiate from Bathinda and close relative of Baba Grmit Ram Rahim Singh head of Dera Sacha Sauda is losing the battle despite the support of Dera. The Sacha Sauda dera had openly supported the Congress party in these elections.