Independents win 20 wards in Gurugram, BJP manages 14

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, September 24

Independent candidates ruled the roost in MC elections on Sunday, winning 20 of the 35 seats. The BJP, that had claimed that it would win 30 seats, got only 13.

One seat went to the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Fifteen seats were won by women candidates, 10 of whom were Independents and five supported by the BJP.

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High drama was witnessed after recounting was ordered in Ward No. 6. The defeated BJP nominee was declared elected after recounting.

A total of 202 candidates, including 78 women, contested the MC elections in Gurugram. There were 147 independent candidates.

While the BJP contested every seat, the INLD had 20 candidates and supported 10 independent candidates. The Congress did not announce any candidate, but supported 14 independent candidates.

The results failed to dampen BJP spirits. Party leader Rao Narbir Singh predicted that the Mayor would be from the BJP.

“A majority of independent candidates have expressed support to us and the Mayor will be from the BJP,” he said.

Despite efforts of the local administration and candidates, local residents remained unenthusiastic towards polling, with only 55.68 per cent polling being recorded in 76 booths compared to 63.3 per cent in 2011.

The population in urban areas, most vocal on the social media about civic issues in Gurugram, failed to fulfil their responsibility of casting vote while rural areas and villages in city areas played the key role.

The highest voter turnout was at Kherki Daula Senior Secondary School, where 681 of the 796 voters cast the ballot.

The lowest turnout was recorded at DLF Phase 2 polling booth at American Montessori Public School as only 22 of the 1,314 registered voters turned up. The polling percentage here was 1.67.

Women and senior citizens led the way in deciding the mandate as they formed a major part of the voters today.

The local administration and police conducted the poll peacefully even though over 200 booths had been declared sensitive.

However, there were reports of minor brawls. Two persons were arrested on the charge of attempting to vote on the basis of fake voter ID. Unconfirmed reports claimed bogus voting at a few centres, too.