Cong will contest poll with full strength, will win with huge margin: Arora

With the municipal elections in Haryana scheduled on March 2, the Congress party has intensified its preparations. As part of this effort, Congress Thanesar MLA and Karnal district municipal election in-charge Ashok Arora held a meeting with party leaders and workers to get feedback on whether to contest the elections on the party symbol or not. Besides, Arora discussed potential candidates for the posts of Mayor and councillors of Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC), as well as for Chairpersons and councillors of MC Indri and Nilokheri and the by-election for the Chairperson of Assandh MC.

“Elections have been announced in Haryana, and the Congress has appointed district coordinators accordingly. We assembled here to seek feedback from party leaders and workers on various issues. The sentiments of the party leaders and workers of Karnal will be conveyed to the party high command,” said Arora.

Arora said the Congress would contest the municipal elections with full strength, just as it did in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. "We will win the civic body elections by a huge margin," he said.

He emphasised that apart from state-level issues, local concerns play a crucial role in municipal elections. “At present, corruption is rampant in Municipal Corporations and Municipal Committees. People are struggling to obtain no dues certificates (NDC) and property ID approvals. Even for family IDs, residents are facing several difficulties," he added.

When asked about contesting the elections on the party symbol, Arora said the final decision would be made by the party leadership.

Commenting on the recent deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States, including 33 from Haryana, Arora blamed rising unemployment in the state for the exodus of youth seeking opportunities abroad. “Due to increasing unemployment, the youth are turning to drugs and crime. Many are forced to sell their land and property to go abroad, but the manner in which the US government deported them, handcuffed, is unacceptable," he asserted.

Arora criticised the Central Government for failing to negotiate with the US over the return of these people. "The Centre should have intervened diplomatically and arranged for their return through proper channels, even sending an official aircraft if needed," he said.

Dismissing claims of factionalism within the party, Arora stated, "There is no rift in Congress."