MC Election Campaign Concludes as Punjab Gears Up for Voting

by The_unmuteenglish

Chandigarh, December 20, 2024: The high-decibel campaign for Punjab’s five municipal corporations (MCs) and 44 municipal committees ended Thursday, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spearheading the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) push to reclaim urban voters lost in the Lok Sabha elections. Leaders from Congress and BJP also made last-minute attempts to sway voters ahead of polling day on December 21.

Chief Minister Mann led roadshows in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Ludhiana, and Patiala, urging urban voters to choose AAP candidates for the development of cities. “The Congress-led municipal committees obstructed developmental agendas and stalled city progress. Electing AAP councillors will ensure rapid urban development,” Mann stated during his campaign.

The urban voter base, which AAP struggled to retain during the Lok Sabha elections, is a critical target as the party aims to leverage its recent success in three of the four assembly by-elections.

Meanwhile, Congress and BJP accused AAP of exploiting official resources and strong-arm tactics. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, addressing rallies in Ludhiana, alleged, “AAP is using the same manipulative tactics they employed during panchayat elections. The people of Punjab are fed up with their deceit and misgovernance.”

Notably, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar refrained from active campaigning and was absent from major party events, raising eyebrows during a pivotal contest.

Ahead of polling, the Punjab government declared a public holiday for December 21, offering special leave to government employees voting outside their districts. Educational institutions, including Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjabi University, and Panjab University, have rescheduled exams, while a state-wide dry day was announced for the occasion.

In Bathinda’s Ward 48 byelection, district authorities assured robust security arrangements, though intra-party disputes surfaced within AAP. Local MLA Jagroop Singh Gill abstained from campaigning for party candidate Padamjeet Mehta, expressing discontent over ticket allocation to Balwinder Singh Binder, an independent candidate and perceived strong rival. On Wednesday night, Gill posted a cryptic Facebook video alleging voter intimidation.

Across southern Malwa, voting will also include 10 urban local bodies in districts like Bathinda, Moga, and Muktsar, along with 13 bypolls in areas such as Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Faridkot. Security has been beefed up across polling venues to ensure a smooth process.

 

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