Talwar surprises everyone

Congress candidate Sanjiv Talwar surprised everyone, when he won from the Ludhiana East constituency by defeating sitting MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon from SAD and Daljit Singh Grewal (Bhola) from the AAP. 

In the initial rounds of counting, held at SCD Government College here, Dhillon was leading and suddenly in some other pockets of the constituency Daljit Singh Grewal Bhola picked up. But during the last few rounds, Talwar not just covered up, but was also able to poll 43,010 votes, defeating Bhola by a margin of 1,581 votes. Talwar was finally declared the winner. 

Earlier, it was believed that former MP Manish Tewari would contest from the particular seat, but Talwar was given the seat at the last moment. There was opposition from Tewari group (within Congress) as well when Talwar got the seat. A few local Congress leaders played a key role in getting the ticket for Talwar. Sanjiv Talwar is a Commerce graduate and a businessman. He is also a councillor. As soon as the news of his winning the seat broke, supporters started dancing at Congress Bhawan here. — Shivani Bhakoo 

Top three candidates

• 1st: Sanjiv Talwar - (Congress) Votes polled: 43,010   
• 2nd : Daljit Singh Grewal (AAP) Votes polled: 41, 429 
• 3rd: Ranjit Singh Dhillon - (BJP) Votes polled: 41,313