448 file papers from 85 wards in Jalandhar
A total of 441 candidates filed their papers from 85 wards for the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation elections on the last day of nominations today. Seven papers were received yesterday. A total of 448 candidates are now in the fray for the elections from the city.
The Congress released its list of 27 candidates right at the time when just a few hours were left for filing of papers. Likewise, even the BJP added its pending six names and had to make certain last-minute changes as its already announced candidate from Ward no. 47 Manmeet Kaur changed her loyalty to move to the Congress. The BJP had to rope in Sheetal Dhall from the same ward at the last moment. Similarly, Neerja Jain, an ex-councillor who had been announced as the party candidate from Ward no. 16, chose to give up her ticket and Amarjit Singh Goldy was announced as the nominee of the saffron party.
The Congress also got another advantage of releasing the list at the last moment. In-charge of Ward no. 20 of AAP Deena Nath, who was upset at being denied ticket by the ruling party, was roped in in the presence of Jalandhar MP Charanjit S Channi. He filed his papers as the Congress candidate from the same ward.
Owing to the hurriedly planned arrangements, BJP candidate from Ward no. 65 could not file her nomination papers. Candidate Anjali Gill said she reached the office of the RO in the Cooperative Bank at 2:30 pm and had even got token no. 21. She said she was asked to bring in a document found to be missing in her file. "My mistake was that I went out myself to fetch the document. As I went back, the gate was shut and I was not allowed to go in even as it was just a few minutes past 3 pm and I had already got the token", she alleged.
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2 couples in fray
Two couples filed their papers for the MC polls. One of them was ex-Mayor Jagdish Raja and his wife and former Senior Deputy Mayor Anita Raja from ward No. 64 and 65. Similarly, ex-Congress councillor Paramjot S Sharry Chadha and his wife Prabhjot Kaur Chadha from Ward no. 28 and 27. Sharry's wife is a first timer.
Lahoria files papers as Ind
A day after his name was withdrawn from the AAP list from Ward no 48, Shiv Nath Singh, known as Shibu Lahoria, on Thursday filed his papers as an Independent. AAP had replaced him by ex-councillor Harjinder Ladda. Shibu said, "Minister Mahinder Bhagat visited my place this morning. The party has even offered me the post of chairman of a board, but I have told them that I will contest."
Madrasi community activist in fray too
Among the candidates who filed their papers today was Ganga Devi, who hails from the Madrasi community and has been a councillor from here in 2002-07. She has been fielded by AAP for Ward no. 23 with areas, including Qazi Mandi and Santoshi Nagar, majorly represented by the Madrasi community. "Voters from my area are from humble background, mostly doing scrap work. I want to bring in more job opportunities for them, besides solving the sewage overflow problem in the localities", she said.
Social activist throw her hat
Giving competition to ex-Congress MLA Rajinder Beri's wife Uma Beri is Kiran Jagota from Ward no. 25. Jagota says, "I hold BSc economics degree. I have done courses in interior designing and multimedia and I work as a freelancer. I also work for the NGO Hungry Aid wherein we collect the leftover food from marriage palaces and hotels and distribute it in the slum areas. My only desire is to serve the people of my area by becoming the councillor".
Sheetal accompanies brother Rajan
Ex-MLA Sheetal Angural accompanied his brother Rajan Angural for the filing of nomination papers from Ward no. 58. The ex-MLA said ex-MP Sushil Rinku's wife Sunita Rinku had shown a goodwill gesture by not contesting herself from the BJP and leaving the ward for Rajan to contest. Both Rinku and Angural had been contesting against each other for the past several terms.
BSP gives ticket in 17 wards
BSP also chose to give tickets to its candidates from 17 wards in Jalandhar, most reserved for the SCs. Party leader Balwinder Kumar accompanied the candidates, providing them all technical help in filing papers. He said the tickets had been announced by party president Avtar S Karimpuri.
SAD candidates file papers
Former SAD Deputy Mayor Arvinder Kaur Oberoi filed her papers from Ward no. 27. Her husband and ex-councillor Kuldeep Oberoi also accompanied her. SAD district chief Kulwant Manan yesterday said the party had given tickets to 30 candidates.
