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Akali Dal's Surprising Claim: Why Second Place in Punjab Polls Reveals AAP Fear

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal has made a bold claim about his party's performance in Punjab's recent rural body elections. He stated that the Akali Dal actually secured second place, boasting a better strike rate than the Congress despite contesting far fewer seats. Badal accused the ruling AAP government of fearing the Akalis, leading to the large-scale rejection of their candidates' nomination papers. He highlighted significant victories in key districts and pointed out that many senior AAP leaders failed to win their own home constituencies.

Key Points: Sukhbir Badal Says Akali Dal Second in Punjab Rural Body Polls

  • SAD won 445 Block Samiti seats out of 1,814 contested
  • Badal alleges AAP got over 1,000 SAD nominations rejected on flimsy grounds
  • Party claims decisive victories in Bathinda, Muktsar, and Faridkot districts
  • Nearly a dozen senior AAP leaders lost their home seats in the elections
2 min read

Akali Dal stands second in rural body polls, claims Sukhbir Badal

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal claims party came second in Zila Parishad polls with a better strike rate than Congress, alleging AAP unfairly rejected nominations.

"“The Aam Aadmi Party was able to get its 351 candidates elected unopposed... by using unfair means.” - Sukhbir Badal"

Chandigarh, Dec 19

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Friday said the party had actually come second in the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections in Punjab and it also had a better overall strike rate than the Congress because it contested 673 lesser seats than it due to large scale rejection of nomination papers of its candidates.

Badal, who honoured party Muktsar in charge Kanwarjit Singh Barkandi as well as all Zila Parishad and Block Samiti winners, at his residence in Badal village said the most number of nominations of SAD candidates were rejected in the just concluded elections because the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government feared the Akali Dal the most.

“The Aam Aadmi Party was able to get its 351 candidates elected unopposed out of a total of 2,838 Block Samiti seats by using unfair means. It also succeeded in getting 1,024 nomination papers of SAD candidates rejected on flimsy grounds or simply tore them,” a party statement quoting Badal said.

He said in the Block Samitis, the Akali Dal won 445 seats out of 1,814 seats and its strike rate is much better that the Congress that contested on 2,487 seats.

Speaking about the huge victories the party has notched in Bathinda, Muktsar and Faridkot, Badal said the party would be able to get its candidates elected as Zila Parishad Chairpersons in these districts.

He said the party was also likely to get its candidate elected as Chairpersons in nearly 15 constituencies, including the Mansa Block Samiti with one Independent candidate -- Raswinder Singh from Chakriya village -- joining the party to take its strength to 13 in a 25-member House.

Congratulating the Muktsar assembly team of the party for its overwhelming victory in the elections, Badal said SAD candidates won two out of the two Zila Parishad seats and 17 out of the 20 Block Samiti seats in the Muktsar Sahib constituency.

He also pointed out that nearly a dozen senior leaders of AAP, including ministers and MLAs, couldn’t even win their home seats in Block samiti elections.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
It's interesting to see SAD focusing on strike rate. In cricket, a good strike rate with fewer balls faced is praised. Maybe they are trying to frame the narrative after a tough loss. But winning in Bathinda and Muktsar is their traditional stronghold, no surprise there.
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Aman W
Always the same story after elections - the losing party cries foul. If AAP got so many unopposed wins, maybe people just didn't see a point in contesting against them? SAD needs to rebuild connect with Punjab's youth, not just blame others. 🙏
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Sarah B
As an observer, the data point about AAP ministers not winning their home seats is telling. It suggests even their local ground-level support might be shaky. Local body polls are often a reality check for state governments.
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Karthik V
This is classic political spin. "We came second, our strike rate is better" – sounds like a team trying to stay relevant after a poor IPL season. The real issue is development at the village level. Who is actually delivering for the farmers?
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Nisha Z
Good to see some competition in Punjab politics. A strong opposition is healthy for democracy. SAD winning Zila Parishad chairpersons in some districts will keep the ruling party on its toes. Hope this translates to better governance for common people.

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