In Muslim bastion Malerkotla, BJP fields 8 candidates for ZP, block samiti polls

Probably for the first time, the Bhartia Janta Party (BJP) has fielded eight candidates for the zila parishad and block samiti polls scheduled for Sunday.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has fielded no candidate while SAD (Badal) is competing for 28 out of 45 block samiti seats and is contesting all ten of the zila parishad zones.

Having pocketed two block samiti seats unopposed, the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded candidates for all zila parishad and block samiti seats, while the Congress is contesting all ZP and 42 of the block samiti seats. The SAD has launched candidates for all ZP zones but is limiting its political fight to only 28 of the 45 block samiti seats in Malerkotla, Ahmedgarh and Amargarh.

Perusal of records revealed that the BJP had launched official candidates at Bagrian, Chaundan and Kup Kalan zila parishad zones besides launching candidates at Bagrian, Nangal, Chaundan, Banbhaura and Bhurthala Mander block samiti segments.

Seven candidates are contesting the ZP election as independents while 14 others are contesting the block samiti election independently.

The AAP and the Congress are in direct fight in six block samiti seats, while the contest is almost triangular for the remaining posts. The highest number of candidates competing is seven in the Nangal zone of the Amargarh Block Samiti.