Bharatiya Janata Party girds up to contest all SAS Nagar MC seats
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appearing to be not too bothered about its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ahead of the SAS Nagar municipal corporation (MC) elections that are likely to be held next month, the general secretary of its Punjab and Chandigarh unit, Ajay Jamwal has asked office-bearers to prepare themselves for contesting in all wards.
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appearing to be not too bothered about its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ahead of the SAS Nagar municipal corporation (MC) elections that are likely to be held next month, the general secretary of its Punjab and Chandigarh unit, Ajay Jamwal has asked office-bearers to prepare themselves for contesting in all wards.
Addressing a meeting of SAS Nagar district office-bearers, ‘mandal’ presidents and general secretaries at the Mohali Club in Phase 11 on Sunday, he said, “Get ready to contest in all wards and ensure the polls are winnable. Appoint grassroots workers as candidates wherever possible and don’t worry about the pact with SAD, as that would matter later.”
This time the local BJP unit has been demanding a 50% seat share of the total 50 wards in SAS Nagar. In the elections held in July 2007 there were 31 wards and candidates contested independently.
SAS Nagar got a municipal corporation in January 2011 and since then no elections to the body have been held.
Sukhwinder Singh Goldy, the BJP’s SAS Nagar district president, said, “If SAD agrees to 50% seat sharing we’ll go along otherwise we’ll be contesting all 50 seats. We’ll ensure this time SAS Nagar will have a BJP mayor.”.
While airing their grievances against SAD, the office-bearers told Jamwal, SAD was fielding their own candidates in wards allocated to the BJP.
“Even the BJP ministers haven’t been helping us in sorting out local issues though we still need them to visit our areas,” they said. Jamwal assured them all their problems would be resolved and asked them to intensify the party membership drive.
On the other hand, SAD Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said, “Every one has the right to claim a party ticket, but we will sort the seat sharing amicably on the basis of the pattern that is already in place.”
