The single-phase poll for 117 constituencies of the Punjab Assembly recorded over 65% voter turnout on Sunday. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi cast his vote at a polling booth in Kharar. He is contesting the polls from Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur constituencies. His constituencies Bhadaur’s voter turnout is 71.30%, and Chamkaur Sahib voter turnout is 68% till 5 PM. Voter turnout for AAP CM candidate Bhagwant Mann’s constituency Dhuri is 68%. For Sukhbir Singh Badal’s constituency Jalalabad it was 71.50%, whereas Parkash Singh Badal’s constituency Lambi’s voter turnout was 72.40%.
Captain Amarinder Singh’s constituency, Patiala city voter turnout stood the lowest of all 8 constituencies of Patiala at 59.50%.
Gidderbaha constituency recorded the highest polling at 77.80%, while Amritsar South was the lowest at 48.06%.
The ruling Congress is witnessing a multi-cornered contest among Congress, AAP, SAD-BSP, BJP in alliance with Punjab Lok Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt), along with other significant political parties.
Channi said: “The Congress party will form the government with 2/3rd majority in Punjab. People are supporting Congress in large numbers. There is overwhelming support for the party among voters.”
“I am certain of winning Patiala. I think we will win the elections…They (Congress) live in a different world and will be wiped out in Punjab,” said former CM Captain Amarinder Singh.
AAP CM candidate Bhagwant Mann said that the Congress and BJP raised allegations against AAP. “Public is supreme in a democracy. Not only in Dhuri but the mood of the public is same across Punjab. People have suffered enough, now is the time to bring change. We will win and form government in the state with a huge majority.”
President of Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “There is a strong SAD-BSP wave in the state, you’ll see exceptional results soon.” Taking a dig at Captain Amarinder Singh, SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal said, “We have been standing firm at one place for the last three generations. While many others have moved to other parties on not getting election tickets, like Captain Amarinder Singh.”
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said that the party would take a decision on forming an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party post-poll.
Majithia said, “People will win, their issues will win and the public will reject Sidhu’s arrogance and hate politics. There has not been any development of industries and issues of business, unemployment and poor labours have not been addressed.”
Although the polling was peaceful overall, a clash broke out in Jalloo Kee of Ferozepur (urban) constituency between the supporters of AAP and BJP; Surjit Singh, AAP worker, suffered minor injuries.
Actor Sonu Sood was stopped by Moga police as he was trying to go inside the polling booth. His car got impounded by the police and he was asked to leave the spot.
MP Ravneet Bittu alleged that SAD workers attacked Congress booth staff in Ludhiana East constituency. After his complaint, police reached the spot.
Nayagaon witnessed tension as AAP levelled allegations against SAD for attacking the booth agent. AAP accused SAD of attacking their booth agent.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS