Villages dotted with posters

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, December 29

As election symbols of political parties are not being used for panchayat elections, several candidates are using colours of the Congress flag in background of their posters while the candidates backed by Akali leaders use yellow and orange shade in posters to attract the voters.

Even several candidates use photos of elected MLAs and MPs in their posters, seeking votes in panchayat elections. The interference of political parties cannot be ruled out in the panchayat elections as leaders from parties have attended meetings for campaigning of a number of candidates, said the sources.

Meanwhile, a large number of posters have been displayed, defacing public and private properties at various villages across the district. At some places, residents have taken the initiative to get the posters removed at their own. A resident of Gill village said: “No action is taken against defacement in villages. Candidates are being openly supported by political parties. We want to elect panchayat members without any affiliation so that overall development can take place.”

A resident at New Rajguru Nagar said: “The main competition for panchayat elections is between candidates of two groups — the one backed by the Congress and other by Akali leaders. Candidates supported by the Congress have used three colours of the party flag in their posters while some candidates belong to other group have used yellow shade in their posters.”

Defacement of property

• Several candidates use photos of elected MLAs and MPs in their posters, seeking votes in the panchayat elections. 
• A large number of posters have been displayed, defacing public and private properties at various villages across the district. At some places, residents have taken the initiative to get the posters removed on their own.