Punjab Municipal Council Polls: SAD to crack whip, show rebel candidates the door, Punjab Municipal corporation Election 2015, Punjab bye Poll
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- Category: Punjab Political News
- Last Updated: Saturday, 21 February 2015 11:25
Punjab Municipal Council Polls: SAD to crack whip, show rebel candidates the door
The ruling Akalis have decided to expel party rebels in the civic elections. SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today met top party leaders and district observers and asked them to list the rebels to begin the process of their expulsion by tomorrow.
The civic polls are being seen as a run-up to the Assembly elections in 2017 for the Badals. The municipal corporation, council and nagar panchayat elections are due next week.
While the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the six municipal corporations, which go to the polls on February 22, was February 13, today was the last day for withdrawal of names for the 122 municipal councils and nagar panchayats that will see polling on February 25.
The problem of rebels contesting against party’s official candidates is widespread in Mohali and Moga.
In Mohali, the richest candidate in the fray — realtor Kulwant Singh — and his son Sarabjit Singh are contesting against SAD’s official candidates. In Moga, the tussle between Agriculture Minister Tota Singh and MLA Joginder Pal Jain has led to many rebels being fielded against SAD nominees.
A former public servant who unsuccessfully contested the 2012 Assembly elections from Moga and blames Jain for his failure is now supporting the rebels contesting against Akali candidates owing allegiance to Jain.
Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Adviser to the Chief Minister, said the party was committed to quelling dissidence. “No one is above the party and rebels will be shown the door,” he said, adding the list of rebels being expelled will be out tomorrow. He said those supporting the rebels against the party candidates would have to face the music.
The Akali Dal is not the only party facing rebellion. Several rebel Congress leaders are contesting against party nominees at various places. The BJP, too, is facing rebellion. In spite of warnings by state party president Kamal Sharma, rebels are contesting against party candidates in 10 wards of Pathankot, Phagwara and Hoshiarpur.