Preneet Kaur wraps up campaign with roadshow in Patiala - SAD-BJP, AAP candidates opt for door-to-door canvassing

Wednesday, 20/08/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140820/punjab.htm#10

Patiala : After all the hullabaloo of hectic political activities, campaigning for the Patiala Urban byelection scheduled for August 21 came to an end today. All three political parties tried their best to woo the voters on the last day.

Congress candidate Preneet Kaur held a roadshow in the city. She was accompanied by her husband Capt Amarinder Singh, son Raninder Singh and Congress Legislative Party Leader Sunil Jakhar.

“My family will always remain grateful and indebted to you for the love and affection you have always showered on us,” Amarinder told city residents. Preneet said this election was important as it was going to be the game-changer in Punjab’s politics.

AAP candidate Harjit Singh Adaltiwala and SAD-BJP nominee Bhagwan Dass Juneja went door-to-door to seek votes.

Juneja said he chose door-to-door campaign so as not to cause inconvenience to the people by holding a rally or a roadshow. “We will win as the city has been neglected by the royal family. My win will make sure that Patiala becomes a model city,” he claimed.

Adaltiwala said: “Both Congress and the SAD-BJP have failed on all fronts and there is a need for change.”

The seat is traditionally considered to be a Congress stronghold, but the party is facing a tough fight from both AAP and the SAD-BJP alliance.

Even as candidates of all parties indulged in mudslinging and personal attacks, they all agreed that the city lagged behind in development.

While the Congress blames the SAD-BJP’s last seven year rule for the city’s neglect, the ruling alliance claims that former MP Preneet Kaur and her husband Capt Amarinder Singh did nothing for Patiala. AAP blames both parties of being hand in glove in ensuring that Patiala remains a neglected town.

The three weeks of campaigning saw all three prominent candidates relying on senior party leaders to do much of political talking. While the Congress campaign was led by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, AAP candidate got the support of Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, party chief Arvind Kejriwal and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.

Juneja’s campaign witnessed rallies by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, BJP state chief Kamal Sharma and over four cabinet ministers and three MPs.