Kulwant’s exit led to SAD wipeout: Political pundits

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 18

Political pundits keenly watching the elections claim that the parting of ways by former Mayor Kulwant Singh from the SAD led to the defeat of the party candidates in the Mohali MC elections.

They say after Kulwant Singh, a SAD loyalist, turned rebel and decided to contest the elections independently, the winning chances of the SAD were hit. Kulwant Singh felt that the election committee, headed by Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra and Charanjit Singh Brar, had ignored him and other local leaders during the distribution of tickets. After this, SAD leaders and former councillors had decided to fight the elections as Independents. Senior leaders Daljit Singh Cheema had tried to woo back Kulwant Singh and his team, but he stuck to his stand.

Even though 10 of his candidates under the banner of Azad Group managed to win the elections, Kulwant Singh himself lost the election. He was hoping that people in the city would vote for him and his candidates keeping in view the development carried out by him during the past five years. The Azad Group, led by Kulwant Singh, had won the elections in 2015 and Kulwant Singh was elected the Mayor with support from 14 Congress councillors and two Independent candidates. Later in August 2017, Kulwant joined the SAD.

Political pundits further stated that the other reason for SAD losing the elections was the parting of ways by the SAD from its alliance partner BJP across Punjab over the three contentious farm laws. The division of votes between the SAD, BJP and Independent candidates had not only caused damage to the SAD but also to the BJP.

Satvir Singh Dhanoa, a former SAD councillor, said people were now fed up with political parties. He said they had decided to contest the elections as Independent as that was what people wanted. He said time has now come for all councillors to work for the betterment of people and the development of the city.

Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra said they had selected the candidates on merit. He said the main reasons for the defeat were the rigging of polling booths, misuse of government machinery and bungling of votes. He said the Congress would have to face the consequences for this in the next Assembly elections.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.