BJP candidate Sheetal Angural filed his nomination today for the Jalandhar West bye-elections in Jalandhar, Punjab. His nomination at the DC office was preceeded by a grand road show from Basti area. Returning Officer Alka Kalia took BJP candidate Sheetal Angural’s nomination.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, former Chairman of SC Commission Vijay Sampla, former MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, former MLA KG Bhandari, Manoranjan Kalia and various senior leaders attended the road show. Sheetal Angural's supporters are reaching the DC office from Basti Danishmanda dancing and singing along the way.
During the roadshow, former MLA Sheetal Angural, targeted the Punjab ruling party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying, “The future of the West constituency is now in your hands. Which government do you want, the one that has done something for Punjab till date or the one that has made India proud in ten years”.
“AAP did nothing for the sports market of the West constituency, the people of the market are upset with the government. AAP did nothing except lying” Angural further added.
Social media influencer Neetu Shutteran Wala, who became famous for his comedy, has also filed nomination as an independent candidate. Neetu met BJP leaders before filing nomination and took photos with them and also made videos. Also, Neetu praised former MLA KD Bhandari.
By-election is being held after the resignation of Sheetal Angural
Sheetal Angural had shifted from AAP to BJP on March 27, just before the Lok Sabha elections. Following the party shift, he resigned from the post of MLA, but on May 29, Angural decided to withdraw his resignation. On May 30, Angural wrote a letter to the Speaker to withdraw his resignation.
On June 3, the Speaker had called Angural for talks on the resignation. But on May 30, Angural's resignation was accepted. On this, Angural had talked about filing a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Interestingly, Bhagat and Angural were also in the fray in the 2022 assembly elections. Then Mohinder Bhagat was the BJP candidate and Angural was the candidate from AAP. However the party allegiances have been reversed this year.
Jalandhar Bye-elections schedule
The official gazette notification was issued on June 14, 2024, marking the formal commencement of the election process. Prospective candidates must file their nominations by June 21, 2024. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 24, 2024, ensuring all candidates meet the necessary eligibility criteria.
Candidates would be able to withdraw their nomination papers on June 26, 2024. The bye-election polling is scheduled for July 10, 2024, and the counting of votes will be done on July 13, 2024. The entire election process will be completed by July 15, 2024.