Congress will contest MC elections with full strength, will win with huge margin: MLA Ashok Arora

With the municipal elections in Haryana scheduled on March 2, the Congress has intensified its preparations. As part of this effort, Congress Thanesar MLA and Karnal district municipal election incharge Ashok Arora on Friday held a meeting with party leaders and workers to gather feedback on whether to contest the elections on the party symbol.

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. Accordingly, the Congress has appointed district coordinators. 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.

He said that 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,” Arora 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 and property ID approvals. Even for family IDs, residents are facing several difficulties,” Arora added.

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

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

Arora criticised the centre for failing to negotiate with the US over the return of these people. “The Indian government 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 the Congress.”