SAD-BJP alliance sweeps civic polls in Punjab, CM Badal calls mandate 'pro-people'

Chandigarh: SAD-BJP alliance on Wednesday swept the civic polls in Punjab as it won 1,161 seats out of results declared in 2,037 wards, with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal describing the verdict as mandate in favour of “pro-people” and “development oriented policies” of the state government. [caption id=“attachment_2122525” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal. AFP[/caption] Out of 2,037 wards in 122 municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats, SAD wrested control on 813 wards while its ally BJP won 348 wards, as per election results declared late evening. The Congress, which was looking to strengthen its position in these elections, won 253 wards while Independents were victorious on 624 seats, an official of Punjab Election Commission said. There was a clean sweep for SAD in Amritsar, Moga, Tarn Taran and Mohali while Congress was able to gain majority in Nurmahal, Khanna, Doraha, Patran, Malerkotla, Abohar, Gidderbaha and Nawanshahar towns. BJP led in the wards of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Mukerian, Dasuya, Nangal, Tanda, Rajpura, Deenanagar and Sujanpur. BSP won three seats each in Nakodar, Nurmahal and Bhai Roopa while PPP won one seat in Phillaur and two in Gobindgarh, as per the results. Interestingly, in Tarn Taran where SAD and BJP were in direct fight, Akalis won on 16 wards while BJP managed to win 7 seats out of 23 wards. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal hailed the victory of Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance in the elections of Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in the state. Describing it as a mandate in favour of pro-people and development-oriented policies of SAD-BJP government, the Chief Minister in a statement said that the victory of the alliance has once again demonstrated people’s full faith and confidence in the policies and programmes of the alliance government. He said that poll results were a “triumph of clean, transparent and good governance of alliance over the “malicious propaganda” based on divisive politics and dirty tactics applied by the Congress. Reacting to the poll results, Punjab BJP President Kamal Sharma termed the victory of the SAD-BJP combine as victory of the democracy and development agenda pursued by the ruling alliance. Earlier, polling to 122 municipal councils and nagar panchayats today passed off peacefully barring stray incidents at some booths of Samana and Ferozepur. Despite inclement weather conditions, the total polling in the civic polls was registered at 78.60 per cent, said SS Brar, State Election Commissioner. Maximum polling was witnessed in Bathinda (87.11 percent), Barnala (82 percent), Fatehgarh Sahib (80.55 percent), Moga (85.18 percent), Mansa (85.60 percent) and Sangrur (82.71 percent). “The Election was today by and large peaceful expect some booths at Samana and Ferozpur,” he said. He said re-polling will be conducted at booth number 14 and 15 of ward 7 of Samana and at booth numbers 31, 32 and 33 of ward 14 of Ferozpur. The official spokesperson said, “at Samana re-polling has been ordered due to causing damage to the Electronic Voting Machines whereas at Ferozpur election process has been stopped due the objection raised by the voters on the voter lists.” He said the re-polling at these places would be conducted on 8 March. On 22 February, polling in six municipal corporations was recorded at 69 percent. Heavy security arrangements were made in the state to prevent any untoward incident during the polling. Despite apprehension of violence by BJP, voting in Tarn Taran remained peaceful amid tight security arrangements as SAD and BJP were contesting separately here. A total of 1,486 polling stations and 3,170 polling booths were set up for the election in 2,062 wards of municipal councils and nagar panchayat. Out of 7,006 candidates in the fray, 160 were elected unopposed, which include 56 from Bathinda, 25 from Ferozepur and 13 from Mohali. Polling started at 8 am and went up till 5 pm. PTI