Banga delivers hung council, BJP manages just 1 seat

Jalandhar: The results of the civic body poll in Nawanshahr, Banga and Rahon, gave a major setback to the BJP. It could manage to win only one ward in the district. Opposition against the three agri laws is being seen as one of the major reasons behind such a debacle. In Rahon, 13 Independents won all 13 wards. Notably, the candidates did not fight on any symbol. Of 13, seven have affiliation with Congress. In Banga, AAP and Congress won five wards each of 15 wards, while SAD grabbed three wards, Independent and BJP

managed to win one seat, respectively. As no one got a majority in Banga, political outfits, especially AAP and Congress, have started brainstorming. Sources said a majority of AAP candidates were earlier associated with Congress. SAD MLA from Banga Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi said, “We have three seats and an Independent is also with us. Being an MLA, I also have a vote.” Satvir Palli Jhikki, chairman, Congress District Planning Committee, said nothing was clear. “We need three more seats to make our chief. We will try and approach the winners,” he said. AAP block chief Ranveer Rana said, they will decide the future strategy. “We will stay with AAP,” he said. In Nawanshahr, Cong won 11 of 19 wards. Independents bagged four wards, Akalis three, BSP won one ward and BJP failed to open its account. Lalit Mohan Pathak, former council chief (Cong), fought as an Independent this time from Ward No. 12. He won the election by defeating rival Congress candidate.

— Aakanksha N Bhardwaj