With the ruling BJP-JJP combine winning 25 of the total 46 local bodies’ presidential posts in Haryana, the poll results are being interpreted as thumbs down for the Congress which did not fight the polls on party symbol , reports Rajesh Moudgil
The going seemed to getting tough for the ruling BJP-Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) combine in the recent elections to the 46 civic elections in Haryana initially when the two sought to fight the civic polls separately – even against each other at a few places. However, BJP and JJP finally reached an agreement and thus managed to win 25 of the total 46 local bodies’ presidential seats on their respective party symbols.
The main opposition party Congress which decided against entering the fray on party symbol, has been left red-faced though it claims most of the independents who have won belong to them. The claims and counter-claims between the ruling coalition and the Congress have not ended as yet.
The election for the 18 municipal councils and 28 municipal committees was held on June 19 and the results of the same were declared on June 22. The results also sprang a surprise; the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opened its account in Haryana by winning one post of president of Ismailabad municipal committee in district Kurukshetra.
The AAP fought the local bodies’ elections on the party symbol for the first time, though it had fought Lok Sabha and assembly polls in Haryana in the past but faced a drubbing. Kejriwal had even held a rally on May 29 in Kurukshetra with an eye on the upcoming local bodies’ polls and showcased the Delhi model as well as the recent landslide victory in Punjab.
Notably, it was the first time that the direct election of the presidents of the councils and committees was conducted this time even though it was first done for the election for mayors of municipal corporations in 2018. The councils and committees’ elections were due in 2021 though could not be held due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Results
According to the state election commission, the chairperson/presidential candidates of BJP won in 10 councils and one of JJP out of the total 18 municipal councils. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidate won at one council. Independent candidates won in six councils though some of whom, Congress claims, were backed by it.
