Campaign din for Punjab civic polls ends, polling tomorrow

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 12

With Assembly polls round the corner, the ruling Congress, riding the pro-farmer sentiment, seems to have the edge over its rivals in the civic body polls scheduled for February 14, canvassing for which ended today.

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While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appears to have retrieved some lost ground, the going has been tough for both the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP. Facing hostile protesters over the recent farm laws, the latter has been able to field candidates on just 50 per cent seats.

Fought on local issues, the outcome of the civic body polls will reflect the mood of the voter in urban and semi-urban areas. The AAP has canvassed hard to expand its footprint in Punjab with a young and energetic Raghav Chadha attacking Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh. Unflapped, the CM says AAP is “totally faceless” and its ambition to form the next government in Punjab is just a “pipe dream”.

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who canvassed in Amritsar on the last day of campaigning today, also visited the Golden Temple.

The fact that Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal and other senior ministers have been camping in their constituencies indicates the importance of the polls. On the back foot, the SAD is making efforts to rev up its cadre. A beleaguered Sukhbir Badal, SAD president, has faced angry crowds while canvassing.

SAD leader DS Cheema and Leader of the Opposition Harpal Cheema (AAP) have sought paramilitary forces.

Counting on feb 17

109 MCs & nagar panchayats, 8 corpns go to polls on Feb 14 (8am-4pm)

9,222 candidates in fray in all; 1st time that SAD and BJP will fight separately after alliance snapped