Malerkotla: Leaders busy in convincing the rebels

Punjab: Though today was the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers, leaders of political parties were seen persuading rebels to support candidates who pledge allegiance to them, cutting across party lines. The district administration had earlier said it had received 649 nominations for 176 sarpanch posts and 2,233 claims for 1,178 panches. So far, the authorities have failed to release a list of the total candidates in the fray. Still, many candidates celebrated being elected unanimously. Harjinder Singh of Chhanna village said senior members of various social organisations of the village had urged all candidates to elect the sarpanch unanimously. He said all the candidates, barring Sukhwinder Singh Samra, withdrew their nomination papers today.

Harjinder said, “Though the certificate will be issued only after the election process is over on October 15, the returning office officials had informed Sukhwinder Singh Samra that he will be declared elected unopposed.” Similarly, Gurmeet Kaur of Dehlij Khurd village was told that she is the only candidate in the fray for the post of sarpanch. Dehlij Kalan, Malikpur, Jandali Kalan, Nathumaajra, Rohno, Koop and Rurki are some of the villages where senior leaders are trying their best to convince the candidates to end factionalism. Officials said polling will be held at all such polling stations where multiple candidates have filed nominations for the post of sarpanch or panch. Officials said they have completed preparations to conduct polling at 256 booths in 176 villages falling under three sub-divisions of the district. Besides, around 1,500 staff have been deployed for smooth and hassle-free polling on October 15. The second rehearsal will be held on Friday and polling parties will leave for their respective booths on Monday.