Political activities pick up as MC election aspirants begin mass contact programme

Political activities have picked up pace in the city after the announcement by the state government that elections to the Municipal Corporations would be held. Aspirants for party tickets are making efforts by displaying banners and posters in their respective areas to woo the voters. Public meetings and attending social gatherings by prospective candidates and their followers has increased. The BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had called for applications from aspirants for party tickets last year, when the state government had announced to hold elections. The Congress and BJP got over 450 and 400 applications, respectively. The AAP also received 500 applications for all 85 wards in October last year.

Munish Aggarwal, district president of the Aam Aadmi Party, said, “We received over 500 applications last year. A meeting of party leaders and volunteers would be held tomorrow to take a decision on matters relating to the MC elections. We will discuss in the meeting whether the old applications would be considered or new applications would be called for from the aspirants.”

The AAP had 10 to 15 aspirants in each ward last year. The aspirants had displayed their poster and banners several times in the last two years but the elections got delayed every time. As most civic issues remain unaddressed and poll promises unfulfilled, the number of aspirants for AAP ticket may decrease. Meanwhile, the Congress and BJP have been scrutinising the list of aspirants.

Amritsar Municipal Corporation has 85 wards, of which 42 wards are reserved for women. Out of it, nine wards are reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC). Apart from this, 33 wards are for General male candidates and nine wards are reserved for SC male

candidates, while two wards are reserved for backward classes. It is being expected that the election schedule would be announced soon.