The stage is all set for upcoming Punjab Local Body Elections with voting to take place on December 21, 2024. Five MCs of Punjab will undergo elections on December 21 namely- Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Phagwara. To woo the voters, AAP has announced five guarantees, BJP has also made big promises, however, Congress (while writing) is yet to issue its manifesto. Before the announcement of candidates by the parties, various Councillors and leaders jumped ships and joined another party. The shifting of party leaders to another political party may decide the pattern of voting in various wards.
According to the ground report by True Scoop ahead of the Jalandhar MC Election, AAP is enjoying an overall lead in Jalandhar.
Who is enjoying a lead in the Jalandhar MC Election 2024?
As per the ground report, AAP candidate Aruna Arora may also pass the 'Ward Test' with flying colours. AAP has fielded Arora from Ward Number 33. Aruna Arora is Councillor of Jalandhar's posh area Model Town and she has been very actively working for the city’s welfare. Ward 33 also witnessed Congress candidate Siya Sharma, wife of Sumit Sharma withdrawing her nomination ahead of the Jalandhar MC Elections. This is one of the key factors why Aruna Arora is enjoying an edge in the ward. As per the ground report, Aruna Arora may get more than 45 percent vote share in the Jalandhar MC Polls 2024.
On the other hand, ward number 64 is witnessing a close fight. AAP has announced Jagdish Raja as its candidate from Ward number 64. Jagdish Raja was the Mayor of Jalandhar from the Congress party. However, Raja has now joined AAP and is fighting the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation Elections 2024. The ground report depicts that Raja is getting a tough fight from his rival Rajeev Dhingra from the BJP.
Two other prominent faces from the AAP are witnessing close fights. Ashwani Agarwal from Ward Number 80 and Harsimranjit Singh Bunty from Ward Number 50 have tight fights with the BJP candidates contesting from there. AAP's Harsimranjit Singh Bunty is witnessing a tight fight from ward number 50 with BJP candidate Manjit Singh Titu.
Aam Aadmi Party's candidate Vaneet Dhir has an edge in Ward number 62. Vaneet Dhir was previously in the BJP. It means Vaneet Dhir may pass the 'ward test' with flying colours as compared to his other rivals. Notably, BJP candidate Balwinder Singh withdrew his nomination from Ward number 62. Hence, Vaneet Dhir has competition only from Congress candidate Sanjeev Singh. The ground report indicates that Vaneet Dhir's vote share can be as big as 50 percent or more.
Overall, the strength and weight shown by AAP in terms of campaigning, having major leaders and Ministers on ground, and wooing leaders from other parties seems to be doing the magic for them. BJP and Congress seem to be having a tough fight to secure the second position.