Ludhiana: Often described by its members as Asia’s biggest trade business association, the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) is gearing up for its managing committee elections on August 29, 2025.  Yesterday (23rd Aug) sixteen contestants from two rival groups filed nominations for eight different posts. While the association is no stranger to high-voltage drama, this year’s polls are unprecedented, with decades-old rivalries and friendships taking unexpected twists and turns.  

Thukral adds weight to Team Chawla

With over 2,000 registered voters, the 2025 election is already shaping up to be a landmark. One of the biggest surprises is the entry of Jaswinder Singh Thukral, a well-known leader in the small-scale industry. Thukral is contesting the post of Senior Vice President from Team D.S. Chawla, alongside close ally Varinder Kumar Durga, who is standing for Joint Secretary. Thukral commands influence over more than 300 votes in Janta Nagar and adjoining areas, home to numerous micro and small bicycle-parts factories. For years, he stayed away from direct politics, preferring the role of kingmaker by lending support to different camps. His decision to side with Chawla this time could tilt the balance, though whether his influence proves decisive remains to be seen.

Shifting group dynamics – Vishivkarma, Chawla join forces against Kular and Lucky

This time, old warhorse and five-time president of UCPMA, D.S. Chawla, is once again contesting for the post of president against the current incumbent, Harsimerjit Singh Lucky. Interestingly, and against expectations, the matrix of supporters and rivals has shifted for these elections, due to reasons best known to the association’s leading figures. Chawla now has the backing of Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma, who holds considerable influence over a large number of UCPMA members.

For much of its nearly six-decade history — apart from its early years — UCPMA has been dominated by three powerful groups: one led by Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma, another by Gurmeet Singh Kular, and the third by Daljit Singh Chawla. Once fierce opponents, the Vishivkarma and Kular factions had in recent years joined hands to keep Chawla at bay. This time, however, the equation has flipped as Vishivkarma and Chawla have aligned against Kular, whose faction has gained momentum, particularly with the addition of Harsimerjit Singh Lucky. Ironically, Lucky was once a close associate of Vishivkarma and rose swiftly to the presidency of UCPMA in 2023 after defeating Chawla.

Meanwhile, this election has upended earlier compromises and peace accords, setting the stage once again for a showdown between the Vishivkarma and Kular groups — though this time through their proxies.

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Pedalling Through The Political Cycle UCPMA Elections To Test Old Bonds And New Alliances 16 Nominations Filed