Congress candidate to be elected unopposed

Gagandeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 8

Congress candidate from Ward No 2, Gurpreet Singh Manshahia, is likely to be elected unopposed as the SAD-BJP candidate withdrew his nomination papers at the office of the SDM-cum-Returning Officer Barinder Kumar.

Total 25 candidates, including 17 covering candidates, from various parties withdrew their nomination papers today.

Now, total 37 candidates are in poll battle for 15 wards of the Talwandi Sabo municipal council.

Two candidates of the SAD-BJP alliance and one of AAP also withdrew their papers.

Now, total 37 candidates are contesting the elections from 14 wards. There are 14 candidates of the Congress, 13 of the SAD-BJP alliance (11-2), four of AAP, one of the CPI (M) and five independent candidates.

SDM Barinder Kumar said there was a no need of elections in Ward No 2 as Congress candidate Gurpreet Singh, the only candidate, was elected unopposed.

The situation turned tensed when local Akali leaders objected to the candidature of a leader. Heavy police force was deployed at the SDM office.

Youth Akali leader held, released on bail

Today, all four accused, including youth Akali leader Sukhdeep Singh Chatha, who were booked yesterday by the Talwandi Sabo police in an assault case were arrested.

They appeared at the police station today. Mohinderjeet Singh, SHO of the Talwandi Sabo police station, said Sukhdeep Singh Chatha, Kulwinder Singh, Binder Singh Ghony and Vikas were present at the police station and police arrested them. They were released on temporary bail.

Sukhdeep Singh, son of Congress candidate from Ward No 14, had alleged yesterday that Sukhbir Singh Chatha, youth Akali leader and son of Akali candidate Shavinder Kaur Chatha, along with his three aides, thrashed him while he was returning to his home after meeting party workers.

A case under Sections 341, 323, 427, 506 and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the accused.

Akali workers also staged a protest outside the Talwandi Sabo police station.

25 withdraw papers 

• Congress candidate from Ward No 2, Gurpreet Singh Manshahia, is likely to be elected unopposed as the SAD-BJP candidate withdrew his nomination papers at the office of the SDM-cum-Returning Officer Barinder Kumar. 
• Total 25 candidates, including 17 covering candidates, from various parties withdrew their nomination papers.