Ludhiana: The BJP has intensified its ward-level campaigns. Despite receiving 495 applications from hopeful candidates for 95 wards, uncertainty looms over whether the polls will proceed based on old or new ward delimitations. The BJP failed to secure a single seat in the recent four byelections.
District BJP president Rajnesh Dhiman expressed confidence in the party’s readiness, saying: “Public support will depend on the face value of our candidates, and we’ll select them carefully.” A ticket hopeful also acknowledged the challenges and advised focusing on core civic issues.
Adding to the uncertainty is a pending court decision on the legality of new ward delimitations. Senior advocate Harish Rai Dhanda of the SAD filed a petition challenging the updated boundaries, arguing that delimitation should occur only with double-digit percentage growth in populatiton, with an expansion in the number of wards.
The court has reserved its judgment, and Dhanda remains optimistic that the elections will proceed under the 2017 delimitations.
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