Malerkotla: Leaders continue to persuade rebels in fray

Though it was the last day today for withdrawal of nomination papers, politicians cutting across the party lines could be seen persuading rebels to extend support to candidates owing allegiance to them.

The district administration had earlier announced to have received 649 nominations for 176 posts of sarpanch and 2,233 claims for 1,178 panches.

So far, the authorities have failed to release a list of total number of candidates in the fray. Yet several aspirants celebrated for being elected unanimously.

Harjinder Singh of Chhanna village said senior members of various social organisations of the village had urged all aspirants to choose sarpanch unanimously. He said all hopefuls except Sukhwinder Singh Samra had withdrawn their nomination papers today.

“Though the certificate will be issued only after the conclusion of election process on October 15, officials at the returning office had informed Sukhwinder Singh Samra that he will be declared elected unopposed,” said Harjinder.

Similarly, Gurmit Kaur of Dehliz Khurad village was informed that she was the only candidate in the fray for the post of sarpanch.

Dehliz Kalan, Malikpur, Jandali Kalan, Nathumajra, Rohnon, Kup and Rurki were some of the villages where senior leaders were trying hard to persuade aspirants to end factionalism.

Officials said voting would take place at all such polling booths where a plural number of aspirants had filed papers for the post of sarpanch or panch.

Officials said they had completed preparations for conducting polling at 256 booths at 176 villages falling under three subdivisions in the district.

Moreover, around 1500 staff has been deployed for smooth and hassle-free polling on October 15. The second rehearsal would be held on Friday and the polling teams would be dispatched to their respective booths on Monday.