BJP’S decision to contest corporation polls on party symbol may go wrong

EXPERTS SAY PARTY’S LOSS IN ASSEMBLY POLLS IN RAJASTHAN, WILL HAVE AN UNFAVOURABLE IMPACT ON ITS PROSPECTS

CHANDIGARH: The decision of the ruling BJP in Haryana to contest the elections in five municipal corporations (MCS) on party symbol may backfire in the light of party’s loss in assembly polls in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Political experts say though local issues influence the municipal election, the BJP’S loss in the three states, including the neighbouring Rajasthan, will have an unfavourable impact on the local body elections in Hisar, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Karnal. These corporations will go to the polls on December 16.

“The assembly results have created an impression that the BJP is losing ground. This may hamper the prospects of party candidates in the municipal corporation polls,’’ said a former state election commissioner.

Karan Dalal, Congress MLA from Palwal, said the decision of the BJP to contest on party symbol is politically imprudent. “They are a set of novices with very little understanding of ground situation,’’ he said.

CONG NOT CONTESTING ON PARTY SYMBOL

The Congress has decided not to contest the municipal polls on party symbol and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is contesting only the mayoral polls on party symbol. BJP state president Subhash Barala, however, disagrees. “The municipal elections are fought on neighbourhood issues. We have given a clean and efficient administration in the state and are contesting on the strength of our development agenda. The results of the assembly polls in Rajasthan will not have any repercussions,’’ Barala said.

The BJP, which is regarded as primarily an urban-centric party in Haryana, had decided to contest the polls on party symbol with the confidence that they will continue to be in power for another 9 to 10 months and people will vote for them overwhelmingly. However, their confidence might turn out to be misplaced.