Raikot residents put up posters barring entry of BJP leaders
LUDHIANA: With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) facing strong resistance over three farm laws in Punjab, residents of Raikot, especially youth, have put up posters and banners announcing that entry of party leaders for municipal elections had been barred. The polls are scheduled on February 14
Residents claim BJP leaders will not even be allowed to campaign; with the party also not fielding its candidate in any of the 15 wards of Raikot municipal council elections citing resistance. A resident of Police Lines area in Raikot, Sunny Grewal said, “We had protested at the Talwandi Gate market two days back. Shopkeepers in the area had also supported us.”
BJP leaders dismiss this as Congress’ propaganda to win these elections and lower morale of their cadre. BJP president for Jagraon and Raikot, Gaurav Khullar said, “Our leaders are being threatened and posters have been installed by opposition parties. This is murder of democracy. We had planned to field candidates in Raikot, but no nominations were filed as prospective candidates and their families are receiving threats from the local Congress leaders.”
The BJP is facing resistance in other municipal councils as well, and its leaders, including sitting councillors, are switching to other parties for contesting elections. Fearing hostility, two BJP councillors have switched to the SAD. Six SAD candidates in Jagraon are BJP turncoat leaders. Sitting BJP councillor Sarvdeep Singh has also joined SAD to contest.
3 of 6 councils in Ludhiana have no BJP candidate
Fearing hostility amid farmer agitation, the BJP has not fielded candidates in three of six municipal councils. No BJP candidate has filed nominations in Raikot, Samrala and Payal. A bypoll is also scheduled for ward number 8 (general) of Mullanpur Dakha, and ward number 6 of Sahnewal.