Despite its victories in the May 2014 parliamentary elections and Haryana Assembly poll, BJP has been compelled to play the second fiddle in the ensuing civic body elections in Punjab. Keeping an eye on February 7 Delhi elections it is contesting with Shiromani Akali Dal’s support, the party gave up its claim for contesting civic polls on half the seats.
Encouraged by its successful membership drive across the State, especially the rural areas, the saffron party had initially proposed to make the seat sharing arrangement on 50:50 basis — the demand that has failed to go down well with its ally, Akali Dal. The demands to contest on equal number of seats have been raised in the rural units of Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, among others. Sources informed The Pioneer that the local BJP leaders have been pressing to contest polls from the same number of wards as that of the SAD.
The State BJP leadership, which was earlier pressurising the Akali Dal, to increase its share of seats, decided not to pursue the matter forcefully reportedly in the wake of Delhi polls. Buoyed after a series of victories sans any alliance partner including in the neighbouring Haryana late last year, the BJP had declared that it would claim its stake on more number of seats for the municipal polls. Acting on the same principal, the party, once known as urban party, is reaching out to the unexplored territories including rural areas, Dalits, among others.
Becoming more assertive, the party, at several occasions, gave indications of going solo for the next Punjab Assembly elections, scheduled to be held sometime in 2017. It seems, the party may decide on its future course of action following Delhi Assembly election result.
Notwithstanding, the ensuing Delhi polls has forced the State party leadership to soften its stand as the BJP is depending upon the SAD to bag the Sikh-dominated seats it is contesting in Delhi. SAD, in alliance with the BJP, is contesting on four seats. Out of these, it is contesting three seats on BJP symbol — the lotus. Considering SAD’s previous performance of bagging three out of four seats, BJP is relying upon Akali Dal to form the Government in Delhi.
“Differences in the view points do emerge between two parties, as both have their own ideologies. But we are together to contest Delhi polls, and also municipal polls in Punjab. We do not want any points of difference coming ahead Delhi polls as these are very crucial for us,” a senior BJP leader, requesting anonymity told The Pioneer.
The leader said that SAD’s support in Delhi elections hold significance as every single seat is important. “Moreover, SAD had won three seats in 2013, though two of those were on BJP symbol. That is why three Akali candidates, out of four, are contesting on BJP symbol as people know lotus in Delhi not weighing scale,” the leader added. The State party leadership has asked the district units and local leaders to follow the set seat sharing arrangement for the municipal polls.
“As of now, no complaint or disagreement on seat sharing has been received by the SAD-BJP coordination committee. Things are going smooth. Though at some places, there has been demand to seek more seats, where we have pacified our leaders. Also, we are conducting a survey at district level to decide on the candidates in different wards,” said the BJP leader.
The elections for six municipal corporations and 123 municipal councils and notified committees are expected to be held in the last week of February. BJP, in the newly-formed municipal corporations, is expected have its mayoral candidates in the corporations of Phagwara, Pathankot and Hoshiarpur, while the SAD may have in Moga and SAS Nagar (Mohali).
Among the old corporations, the BJP would have mayoral candidates in Amritsar and Jalandhar, and the Akali Dal would have mayors in ludhiana, Bathinda and Patiala. Municipal body polls in Punjab, due since July 2014, were delayed in the wake of delimitation process which takes place after every 10 years, coinciding with the population census.
It has been learnt that the notification for the same would be issued in the coming few days. Sources informed that the notification for municipal corporation elections is expected to be issued on February 6, while the notification for municipal councils and notified committees is likely to be issued on February 9 following which the election code of conduct would come into force in the State.