Ferozepur, June 29
Stakes are high for both the ruling SAD-BJP combine and the Congress in the Municipal Council (MC) elections in this border town, the voting for which is scheduled for tomorrow.

There are 125 candidates in the fray. The BJP is contesting in 18 wards while its alliance partner SAD’s candidates are in the fray in six wards. In one ward, neither the SAD nor the BJP has fielded its candidate. They have extended support to an Independent.

On the other hand, the Congress announced its candidates for all 25 wards, but in a couple of wards their candidates withdrew at the eleventh hour.

‘Invisible’ factionalism may play the spoilsport for the alliance in some wards with the Congress and some Independents standing chances of victory.

For the ruling party candidates, local MLA and chief parliamentary secretary Sukhpal Singh Nannu, irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon and local MP Zora Singh Mann have addressed nukkar sabhas. For the Congress, no senior leader, except state general secretary Parminder Singh ‘Pinki’, having some local influence, has actively campaigned for the party candidates.

The local residents are seeing the elections as a direct contest between Nannu and Pinki as the political stakes of both these young leaders are high not only among the masses but also within their party circles.

In ward No. 1, sitting MC Davinder Kapur (BJP) is facing a tough challenge from Rajinder Jaun of the Congress and in ward No. 2 there seems to be a triangular contest between Kamal Kumar (Congress), Swarna Ram (BJP) and Independent Ulfat Rai. Ulfat is the husband of Nirmal Sahota who was the president of the council in the last term.

In ward No. 3, it’s a direct contest between Anita (BJP) and Satya Rani (Congress) and in ward No. 4, the contest has become interesting with two Independents Kulwant Maggo and Sukhdev Singh giving a tough fight to Kishore Kumar (BJP) and Kuldip Manak (Congress).

In ward No. 5, the contest is between Bohar Singh (Congress) and Balihar Singh (SAD); in ward No. 6 among Daljit Singh (SAD), Kashmir Singh (Congress) and Paramjit Singh (Independent); in ward No. 7 Jagga (BJP) is facing challenge from Jagtar Singh (Congress) and Babbu (Independent). In ward No. 8 Gulshan Uppal (Congress), P.C. Kumar (Independent) and Manjit Kaur (SAD) are trying their luck; in ward No. 9, two times MC Pooran Jossan (SAD) is in a direct contest with Sham Lal (Congress) and in ward No. 10 the contest is between Charanjit (SAD) and Ranjit Kaur (Congress).

In ward No. 11, Dr K.C. Arora (Congress) is facing a direct fight from Dayal Kalia (BJP); in ward No. 12, Asha Kalia (BJP), wife of Dayal Kalia, is facing a tough challenge from Surinder Sharma (Congress); in ward No. 13 Congress nominee Ranjit Dhillon backed out, improving the chances of Kamlesh Kaur (SAD); in ward No. 14, Kulbir Sodhi (BJP) is facing Amarjit (Congress) and in ward No.15, Uma Johri (Congress) is looking for a hat-trick even as Rajinder Kumar (BJP) is giving her a tough challenge.

In ward number 16, Neena (Congress) is facing challenge from Balbir Kaur (BJP); in ward No. 17 Vijay Gill (Congress) and Sohan Lal (BJP) are in a direct contest and in ward No. 18, sitting MC Prem Sethi (Congress) is looking forward to repeat his performance. He is facing Naresh Kantore (BJP), a greenhorn.

In ward No.19, the contest is between Rajinder Sethi (Congress) and Ashwani Grover (BJP); in ward No. 20, Sudesh Rani (Congress) and Ravi Mehta (BJP); in ward No. 21 Ekta Rani (Congress), Poonam Mehta (Independent) having the support of SAD-BJP; in ward No. 22, Seema Rani (Congress) and Geeta Rani (BJP); in ward No. 23, Parminder Kaur (BJP) and Mandeep Kaur (Congress). In ward No. 24, Davinder Bajaj (BJP) is facing challenge from party’s rebel candidate Anil Sharma with Kripal Bawa (Congress) also in the fray and in ward No. 25 the fight is between sitting BJP councillor Parminder Singh and Ashok Sachdeva (Independent).