Jalandhar West By-Election Sees Peaceful Voting with High Stakes for Major Political Parties

Jalandhar West By-Election Sees Peaceful Voting with High Stakes for Major Political Parties

Jalandhar, Punjab – The by-election for the Jalandhar West Assembly constituency commenced at 7 AM and concluded at 6 PM, marking a day of peaceful and significant voting. This constituency has garnered substantial attention, with a high voter turnout reflecting the public’s engagement in this critical election. The voting process witnessed a steady stream of voters arriving at polling stations to exercise their democratic rights. The Jalandhar West seat is currently considered one of the hottest political battlegrounds in the state, especially after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sheetal Angural resigned before the Lok Sabha elections and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has re-nominated Angural, while AAP has fielded Mohinder Bhagat, the son of former Cabinet Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal, who previously contested from BJP in the last election.

This seat has become even more crucial as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken personal charge of the election campaign, renting a house in the area to lead the efforts. Several Cabinet Ministers have also set up camp in Jalandhar West to support the campaign. On the other hand, the Congress has entered the fray with former Senior Deputy Mayor Surinder Kaur, who previously won a Lok Sabha seat.

District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal emphasized that the district administration had made comprehensive arrangements to ensure the by-election was conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The constituency has 171,963 registered voters, including 89,629 males, 82,326 females, and 8 third-gender voters. To accommodate these voters, 181 polling booths were set up across the constituency.

Throughout the day, the voting percentage saw a significant increase. By 9 AM, the voter turnout was 10.30%, which rose to 23.04% by 11 AM. By 1 PM, the turnout had reached 34.40%, and by 3 PM, it had further increased to 42.60%. By 5 PM, the turnout had climbed to 51.30%, indicating a strong participation rate by the end of the voting period.

The by-election’s significance is underscored by the strategic moves of major political players. AAP’s decision to nominate Mohinder Bhagat reflects a calculated effort to regain the seat, leveraging his political lineage and previous electoral experience. The BJP’s re-nomination of Sheetal Angural signals their intent to capitalize on his established voter base and recent defection. Congress’s choice of Surinder Kaur demonstrates their strategy to present a seasoned and locally influential candidate.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s active involvement in the campaign highlights the high stakes for AAP, aiming to secure a victory that would strengthen their position in Punjab politics. The presence of Cabinet Ministers and extensive campaign efforts illustrate the party’s commitment to winning this critical seat.

In contrast, BJP’s strategy focuses on leveraging Angural’s crossover appeal and his connection with local voters. The party aims to consolidate its position and challenge AAP’s dominance in the region. Meanwhile, Congress’s campaign, led by Surinder Kaur, seeks to capitalize on her previous electoral success and local support to make significant inroads in Jalandhar West.

As the votes are counted and the results awaited, the outcome of the Jalandhar West by-election will be closely watched, with potential implications for the political landscape in Punjab. The concerted efforts by all major parties underscore the importance of this by-election, making it a pivotal moment in the state’s electoral dynamics.

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