High stakes, multi-cornered fight on cards in Bathinda

MANPREET AND SUKHBIR HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING FOR THEIR PARTY CANDIDATES

BATHINDA : Political stakes are high in this key city of the south Malwa belt as it is for the first time that the urban local body elections, scheduled on February 14, are witnessing a multi-cornered contest with the BJP and the AAP contesting independently. The ruling Congress will also be keen to lodge its mayor in the city, where the Akalis have been doing so for the past two terms.

In the last MC elections in 2015, the SAD and its former ally, the BJP, had won 29 seats in an House of 50. Congress had won 10 seats, with 11 Independents making it to the House. Bathinda has 2.97 lakh voters, with 99,462 women. These elections are seen as preparation for assembly elections next year, with political parties considering this as the first step towards forming the state government.

Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, who represents Bathinda Urban assembly segment, has been campaigning intensively with his family members. Addressing a ‘nukkar’ meeting in support of party nominee Mamta Saini at Afeem Wali Gali on Monday afternoon, he urged supporters to ensure that Congress takes the mayoral post. Besides banking on his political role in the state government, Manpreet is highlighting the chronic problem of waterlogging and poor development of the city to corner the Akali leadership in his campaigning.

“Former councillor and late Congress leader Ram Das Halwai (Mamta’s father-in-law) was among party activists who had set a target to have a majority in the House and see a Congressman as mayor. It is a golden opportunity to have a Congresscontrolled municipality for development,” said Manpreet.

In its campaign, the opposition is targeting Manpreet for his lack of interest behind delayed development in his segment.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was here on Sunday, had charged his estranged cousin Manpreet with creating hurdles in the development of Bathinda.

“This city is like our home it is close to the heart of ex-CM Parkash Singh Badal. The then Akali government had undertaken unprecedented development in Bathinda city. Besides strengthening civic amenities, we brought a domestic airport, the AIIMS, the Advanced Cancer Institute and key projects,” Sukhbir had said.

“The city is being represented by a finance minister who has failed to introduce any development project. Winning municipal polls is important to form the state government in the next assembly elections,” he added.

On February 5, leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MLA had launched his party’s state-level poll campaign from Bathinda to highlight Manpreet’s failures.

The BJP that had contested on 21 seats to win on 8 in the last election, is now an embarrassed and divided house.