curtains on canvassing: Security forces take out a flag march in Gurdaspur on the last day of campaigning in poll-bound Punjab.
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Chandigarh, February 18
Campaigning for the Punjab Assembly elections ended today amid indications that none of the contesting parties may get a clear majority (59 seats). Anxious candidates held closed-door meetings with their poll managers and party loyalists later in the evening for a feedback on the ground situation.
Editorial: Too close to call: Contest wide open in high-stakes Punjab elections
The main parties in the fray are the Congress, AAP, SAD-BSP, BJP-PLC-SAD (Sanyukt) and Sanyukt Samaj Morcha. The campaigning ended peacefully even though there were moments of anxiety prior to the announcement of elections — lynching of a man after attempted sacrilege at the Golden Temple on December 18 last year and a blast in Ludhiana on December 23. Also, cancellation of PM’s rally on January 5 owing to a security lapse raised questions on the arrangements by the state government.
Putting up a united face, CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress president Navjot Sidhu jointly released a 13-point Congress manifesto here after canvassing in their constituencies. The manifesto promises end to ‘mafia raj’, eight gas cylinders in a year for housewives free of cost, hike in old age pension to Rs 3,100 and free education to the needy.
Most parties concluded campaigning with impressive roadshows. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal held one in Akali stronghold Jalalabad where SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal is in the fray. He attacked the rivals for “confusing the voters by calling him a separatist”. Sukhbir thanked the people for the “massive” response to Shiromani Akali Dal’s social media posts.
The party’s war cry: “Lah paggan topiyan pa uttare, phir bhi gur piaryan jhukna nahin...” is clearly aimed at retrieving the party’s core vote bank. Former Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh held a rally in Patiala. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
#arvind kejriwal #charanjit singh channi #navjot sidhu #sukhbir badal
Most Read In 24 Hours
Don't Miss
View All
Top News
ED files chargesheet against Delhi CM Kejriwal in excise policy case, names AAP as accused
Arvind Kejriwal is currently out of jail on interim bail
Bibhav Kumar said ‘Neech aurat, tujhe sabak sikhayenge’, repeatedly slapped me, kicked me in the chest, pelvis while I had periods, alleges Swati Maliwal in FIR
The Rajya Sabha MP of the Aam Aadmi Party gives a graphic ac...
'Political hitman' back to old ways of saving himself: Swati Maliwal on video footage surfacing from Kejriwal's house
A video from Kejriwal’s house has surfaced
Bridges burnt—can Arvind Kejriwal and AAP recover from the Swati Maliwal controversy
While BJP makes it all about women’s ‘asmita’, unverified vi...
Himachal Pradesh BJP expels rebel leaders Rakesh Choudhary, ex-minister Ram Lal Markanda from party
Decision came after the party failed to persuade rebel leade...
