Amid boycott calls, litmus test for BJP in Bathinda

LOGO: MC poll

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 23

Facing backlash on the issue of farm laws, the Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for February 14 will be the first litmus test for the BJP. The saffron party is going it alone in the elections for the first time.

The BJP had contested 23 of the 50 wards in the MC poll in 2015. This time, it has announced to contest all 50 wards. So far, the BJP is the only party which has not yet declared any candidate.

Punjab’s largest farm union BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) has announced it would protest against BJP candidates and not allow them to hold rallies in cities and villages in the local body poll.

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said, “We will not allow BJP candidates to hold election rallies and will stage protest against them everywhere.”

He said if any BJP leader wanted to contest the poll, he/she should tender resignation from the party and contest as an independent candidate.

Lashing out at the Congress, Kokrikalan said, “Holding polls at a time when farmers’ agitation is going on in Delhi is an attempt to divide people. The elections could have been delayed or cancelled.”

BJP state co-in charge Sunil Singla said, “The BJP will contest on all 50 wards in the city. The candidates will be announced by January 27.” Apart from the BJP, the Congress, SAD and AAP have started campaigning in the city.

The Congress has announced around 36 candidates in Bathinda. Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal is holding rallies in the city. The SAD has announced 40 candidates. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal held rallies for party candidates in the city on Thursday. The AAP has also announced its nominees for most wards in the city.