The ensuing civic polls are a high-stakes battle for all parties. The ruling SAD-BJP alliance wants to maintain its political dominance, the Congress looks forward to regaining its lost political ground and the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) is keen to gain some political ground by winning at a few seats.
Campaigning will pick up next week as the state's top leadership descends on Jalandhar. Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal will visit the area, said Gurcharan Singh Channi, district president (Urban) of SAD.
Captain Amarinder Singh is also expected to visit the city on June 5 to boost the morale of his workers.
PPP chief Manpreet Badal has decided to camp in the city. He would also keep shuttling between Amritsar and Ludhiana for campaigning.
"Our district president (rural) Baba Rajinder Singh has given me a room at his residence. I will extensively campaign in all cities, where corporation polls are being organised," Manpreet told HT.
The PPP, which scored a blob in the assembly elections, wants to gain some political ground for strengthening its base in urban areas by winning some seats.
The PPP has also entered into a seat adjustment agreement with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BSP is not contesting the civic polls, but its local leaders are contesting as independent candidates.
{{/usCountry}}The PPP has also entered into a seat adjustment agreement with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BSP is not contesting the civic polls, but its local leaders are contesting as independent candidates.
{{/usCountry}}Local bodies minister and leader of BJP's legislature party, Chunni Lal Bhagat was elected as an MLA from the city and if the BJP loses in the civic polls, Lal risks being labelled the scape-goat.