Bathinda MC poll a litmus test for saffron party

Won’t allow BJP rallies: BKU

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

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 22

Facing backlash on the issue of farm laws, the Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for February 15 would be the first litmus test for the BJP. The saffron party is going it alone in the polls for the first time after its alliance with the SAD broke over the farm laws.

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

Punab’s largest farm union BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) has announced that it would protest against BJP candidates and not allow them to hold rallies in cities as well in villages in the local bodies polls.

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 wants to contest the polls, then he/she should tender resignation from the party and contest as an independent candidate.

Lashing out at the Congress, Kokrikalan said, “Holding polls at the time when farmers’ agitation in going on in Delhi, is an attempt to divide the 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 and on its own symbol. The candidates will be announced by January 27.”

Apart from the BJP, the Congress, SAD and AAP have started campaigning in the city.

Congress has announced around 36 candidates in Bathinda. Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal is holding rallies in the city. Congress has roped in its leaders, with an aim to win a majority on its own in the Bathinda MC for the first time.

The SAD has also announced around 40 candidates. Akali Dal 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.