Counting down to Punjab civic polls: Day of high-octane roadshows, heavyweights step in ring

Counting down to Punjab civic polls: Day of high-octane roadshows, heavyweights step in ring

Counting down to Punjab civic polls: Day of high-octane roadshows, heavyweights step in ring

Chandigarh : Ahead of the civic body polls in Punjab on Sunday, an edgy Opposition accused the ruling Congress of “tampering” with voter lists and “misusing” government machinery. Denying the charges, PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar observed: “It seems the Opposition has already conceded defeat.”

Feb 14 & 17 dry days

• 7,000 EVMs to be used
• 25,010 employees on duty
• 19,000 policemen on job
• 4,102 polling stations

 

While SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal decried “attempts to kill the Opposition,” BJP state president Ashwani Sharma said he apprehended violence during polling. But AAP’s Raghav Chadha claimed a groundswell of support for the party.

Counting down to Punjab civic polls: Day of high-octane roadshows, heavyweights step in ring

Counting down to Punjab civic polls: Day of high-octane roadshows, heavyweights step in ring

The elections to eight municipal corporations and 109 municipal councils & nagar panchayats are being fiercely fought. These are being viewed as a prelude to the Assembly elections due early next year.

While winning is a matter of prestige for Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and the Congress, the Akalis view the elections as an opportunity to retrieve lost ground. Sukhbir has been at the forefront of campaigning. In Jalalabad, he accompanied candidates to the poll office for filing nomination papers.

The performance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be keenly watched. It is the first election with the reins of the campaign firmly with the young and energetic Raghav Chadha, in-charge of AAP affairs in Punjab, and not Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann.

The BJP, contesting on its own after three decades, is testing the waters. Besides facing public anger over the Centre’s three farm laws, it doesn’t have a widespread network in the state. Nevertheless, the party is hoping to maintain its hold over key pockets of Gurdaspur and surrounding areas.