MC poll: 122 left in the fray

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

With eight independents withdrawing their nomination papers on the last day of withdrawal for the MC poll, scheduled for December 18, there are a total of 122 candidates in the fray, which is considerably lower than the tally of 152 in the 2006 elections. However, the official figures are yet to be issued by the UT State Election Commission.

While three independents withdrew their nomination papers in favour of the BJP candidates, one pulled out in favour of the Congress candidate. A BSP candidate also withdrew his papers in support of the Congress candidate.

Now, there will be a direct fight between former mayor and Congress candidate Subhash Chawla and the BJP’s two-time councillor Rajesh Kumar Gupta in Ward No. 16 (Sector 20 and 33).

Besides, there will also be a direct fight between BJP’s senior leader Asha Kumari Jaswal and first-timer from the Congress Poonam Moudgil in Ward No. 17 (Sector 18, 19 and 21).

On many seats, there will be a triangular contest like Ward No. 1, where Harmohinder Singh Lucky of the Congress will face the BJP’s Mahesh Inder Sidhu and independent Chander Mukhi Sharma. Another triangular contest will be in Ward No. 7 where the BSP has fielded its president Jagir Singh against the BJP’s Rajesh Kalia and Harphool Kalyan of the Congress, who is a former Mayor. 

Mayor Arun Sood is contesting from Ward No. 8 where he will face a challenge from Rajesh Sharma of the Congress. Manoj Kumar of the BSP is also contesting from Ward No. 8.