Thumping victory for Congress

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 22

Winning 20 out of 21 zones of the zila parishad and gaining a majority in 10 of the 11 block samitis in the election results declared today, the ruling Congress has won with a thumping victory in Jalandhar.

In Zila Parishad, Kandola Kalan zone has gone to Independent candidate Reena Rani while all others are with the Congress. In Block Samiti, Adampur is likely to go with SAD as the Congress has reached just the half way mark here getting eight out of the 16 zones. Adampur SAD legislator is quite sure of steering it his way as he maintains that five of his candidates won on symbol, the three Independents are also with him and adding to his MLA vote, his party would be in a majority getting nine of 17 votes. Of the total 191 Block Samiti zones, the Congress has won 132, SAD 34, AAP nil and Independent 25. The Assembly bypoll has certainly been to the advantage of Shahkot Congress MLA Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia as the party has got the best results in his Assembly constituency area. Of the three block samitis falling in the Shahkot Assembly seat, the Congress won all 15 in the Shahkot block, all 15 in the Lohian Khas block and 12 of 15 in Mehatpur.

Adampur area proves best for SAD

For the SAD, the best result has been in the area of Adampur MLA Pawan Tinu. There are two block samitis in his Assembly seat - Adampur and Bhogpur. Even in Bhogpur, the SAD has won five of the 15 zones. In Jandu Singha Zila Parishad falling under Adampur, Congress candidate Madhu Bala won with a margin of just 403 votes. Here, the number of invalid votes is more than double the margin — 1098. Tinu has said after discussing the issue with his party workers, he might put in a request for a recount.

An internal fight in the Congress leadership in the constituency is being blamed for a not good show here.

Those opposing former MLA Kawaljit Lally have been maintaining that he just focussed on getting his son Mehtab Lally win Patara Zila Parishad election and did not go out anywhere.

In ZP poll, PPCC VP Rajinder S Johal has won from Jandiala . For the Congress, Nakodar results too have been good with it getting 12 of 19 seats where Jagbir Brar had been leading the party. Congress’ Vikramjit Chaudhary too is upbeat with 12 of the 15 zones of the Rurka Kalan block and 13 of the 25 zones of Phillaur going his way.