Ludhiana, February 28: Prominent Congress leaders were able to win their respective wards of the local municipal corporation, the results of which were announced today.Among them are MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s wife Mamta Ashu, who won from Ward No. 67; MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid’s son Harkarandeep Singh Vaid Ward No. 44; district Congress president (urban) Gurpreet Gogi Ward No. 76; and district Congress president (rural) Gurdev Singh Lapran’s son Parvinder Singh Ward No. 48.
The prominent loser is Shallu Dawar, daughter-in-law of MLA Surinder Dawar’s brother, from Ward No. 59 District Akali Dal president (urban) Ranjit Singh Dhillon’s wife Ninderjit Kaur, SAD former MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik’s wife Paramjit Kaur Shivalik and BJP’s Ludhiana district vice-president Parminder Mehta lost the election. The SAD had contested from 48 wards, while the BJP 47.
Lok Insaaf Party chief and MLA Simarjit Singh Bains alleged that the Congress won the election with “gunda gardi”, booth-capturing and bogus voting.“The common voter was afraid of their high handedness due to which low polling percentage was recorded. At all, we are thankful to the people of Ludhiana who supported us,” he said.
Denying the allegations, Ashu said the elections were held in a peaceful manner. “In 2012 elections, several violent incidents, including a murder, had taken place. Even I was attacked. But this time, the elections were held in a free and fair manner.
All allegations are baseless.”He said: “We are thankful to the voters for this historic win. As people showed faith in us, we will ensure development of the city. The civic issues and people’s grievances will be taken up on priority basis.”In the 2012 Ludhiana corporation elections, the Akali Dal had won 27 wards, BJP 12, Congress 19 and Independents 17. The total number of wards were 75.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has hailed the win as a vindication of the Congress government’s policies and an endorsement of the pro-people initiatives undertaken by it in the past year. State Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also lauded the party’s performance, saying that it marked the end of mafia raj.
Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Congress win was the outcome of rigging. The real test of the Congress’ popularity would be the Lok Sabha elections, Sukhbir said at a “pol khol” rally at Nadala in Bholath constituency. He said: “They have won the MC polls by resorting to booth-capturing. Their leaders will lose security deposits in the parliamentary elections”.
Source Tribune India
