Parties grapple with infighting in Amritsar

The Amritsar Municipal Corporation has traditionally been ruled by the party in power in the state, but it won’t be easy for the ruling Congress to turn the tables on the SAD-BJP alliance.

The ruling party is contending with infighting, with veteran Congress workers who were denied the ticket coming out openly against those who recently joined the party and managed to secure candidature. The latter includes BJP workers who had switched over to the Congress with Cabinet Minister and local MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu ahead of the Assembly elections.

Congress district secretary Dinesh Bassi, who was an aspirant for the ticket from Amritsar East (now represented by Sidhu), missed the bus for the MC polls too. Party state secretary Sandeep Gorsi wanted to field his wife, but it was Sidhu’s choice — his PA’s wife Monika Sharma — who was picked from Ward No. 27. Former Deputy Mayor Avtar Singh Truckanwala, who quit the SAD to join the Congress, is contesting as an Independent from Ward No. 46 against Congress candidate Shailender Shailly after failing to get the party ticket.

Negligible progress has been made on several fronts during the Congress’ 10-month rule so far, including potable water, efficient sewerage system, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and solid waste management.

Former Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, who is again contesting from Ward No. 10, said, “Large-scale development during the SAD-BJP rule can help the alliance retain control of the MC.” However, the coalition, too, has its share of rebels. Former Deputy Mayor and SAD councillor Avinash Jolly is challenging SAD-BJP candidate Ashok Manchanda from Ward No. 54. From Ward No. 70, SAD’s Pawan Khajuria is pitted against BJP's Hira Lal Digpal.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has largely failed to make it a triangular contest here, even as it has forged an alliance with the BSP and the CPI, despite ideological differences. Canvassing by state AAP chief Bhagwant Mann and Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira received a lukewarm response.

Wards: 85
Reserved:
Women (Gen): 33
Women (SC): 9 
BC: 2 
SC: 9

Candidates 413 
Cong:  85
SAD:   36 
BJP:    50
AAP:   62 
Independents: 156

GS Paul