Jalandhar west by-poll: AAP strong, Congress struggling, BJP disarrayed

Jalandhar: The run up for Jalandhar by-poll has become interesting with triangular contest being witnessed from the seat after AAP MLA Sheetal Angural had resigned and joined BJP.

BJP has fielded controversial Angural from the seat whereas Congress is banking on its veteran leader Surinder kaur who had remained Deputy Mayor of city. The ruling AAP has fielded former Punjab Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat’s son Mohinder Bhagat from the seat. Though candidates of Akali Dal and BSP are also in fray but main fight is between Congress, AAP and BJP.

Though in recently concluded Lok Sabha polls Congress had taken slight lead from BJP and AAP coming on third but things have changed drastically now. Congress party is struggling on the seat with its candidate having a non performer tag since she has nothing tangible to boast about her stint as Deputy Mayor. Moreover her influence outside her ward is minima and the top Congress are away from campaign due to reasons best know to them.

On the other hand BjP has fielded Former MLA Sheetal Angural from the seat. But personal controversies associated with the leader are pushing the saffron party backward and it seems to be disarrayed as senior leaders are maintaining distance from campaign of Angural. In the same manner open allegations of patronising of criminals in west are also giving tough time to Angural.

On the contrary the flawless campaign being run by AAP under leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has strengthened the prospects of AAp on the seat. While CM has shifted to Jalandhar by taking house on rent the Ministers and MLAs who have been assigned the duty are also working zealously. The sober and suave image of Mohinder Bhagat, his strong connect with people at ground and strong hold of his father in the constituency are also strengthening his campaign.