Rajmeet Singh
Tribune Information Service
Chandigarh, January 7
The elections to 118 civic our bodies in Punjab are prone to be held on February 20, sources within the authorities mentioned, although a proper notification of the election date and schedule could be issued by the State Election Fee (SEC).
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is learnt to have given his approval to conduct the election on February 20, which might be communicated to the SEC for crucial motion, sources mentioned.
Earlier, the federal government had written to the SEC to conduct the polls by February 13. The Native Authorities Division had, nevertheless, in its communication to the Chief Minister’s Workplace, sought one other 10 days past February 13 to conduct the elections. The deputy commissioners too had sought extra time.
A senior Congress chief mentioned with the BJP writing to the Punjab Governor to postpone the civic physique polls citing regulation and order state of affairs, it had develop into all of the extra essential to go in for early polling to show the saffron social gathering “unsuitable”.
The Chief Minister has already said that the BJP was attempting to make a “frivolous excuse” of the regulation and order state of affairs because it was attempting to divert consideration from the farmers’ agitation.
“With nearly 4 years of excellent governance and the Basic Election due in 2022, the civic physique polls can be a litmus check for the Congress authorities in city areas and the correct time to tackle the BJP,” mentioned the chief.