BJP barely contesting half the seats in local bodies elections

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 8

Facing protests from farm unions, the BJP is contesting under 50 per cent of the total seats in the local bodies elections.

As per the State Election Commission, 2,302 wards are up for grabs in the local bodies elections slated for next week. After the SAD parted ways over the farm laws, the BJP had claimed it would contest all 117 Assembly constituencies on its own. However, it has found it hard to field candidates in over 50 per cent of the civic body seats. While cities have been considered a good base for the BJP in Punjab, the party has fielded only 1,003 candidates.

Party sources said even the RSS cadre were not upbeat. A district leader said the high command’s offer to provide funding for candidates willing to contest hadn’t cut much ice.

There were instances where party loyalists had shown reluctance to contest on the party symbol. BJP state president Ashwani Sharma couldn’t be reached for comment.

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