Congress candidate from Mohali Balbir Singh Sidhu comes out of a gurdwara at Phase IV.

Kulwinder Sangha

Mohali, March 10

The three main contestants for Mohali held meetings with their party agents and workers today. They made them aware of guidelines regarding the counting process that will take place at the District Administrative Complex in Sector 76 here tomorrow.Balbir Singh Sidhu of the Congress held a meeting with 14 counting agents and party workers at his office in the Industrial Area this morning. Sidhu said he was more than confident of winning this time again. When asked whether he had booked “dholis” and ordered laddoos to celebrate his victory, he said there was no need to do this as his supporters would make such arrangements.He said he would start his day at 6 am by paying obeisance at the Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan tomorrow before going to the counting centre. Sandhu said though some  exit polls gave the party only 50 seats, he was confident of that the party would win 65 seats.Meanwhile, AAP candidate Narinder Singh Shergill said he held a meeting with counting agents and party volunteers, asking them to remain vigilant. He said his party workers were new to politics and had to be guided properly.When asked whether “dholis” had been booked by him and ladoos ordered, Shergill said this would not be done before time and all this would be managed by his volusnteers. However, he admitted that he had ordered 10 to 12 quintals of laddoos, which would be sent to the party office to celebrate the victory of AAP candidates.Shergill, who is totally opposed to exit polls, termed these as “corporate polls”. He said some TV channels were run by corporate houses and they wanted to keep some parties happy. He said they were happy as AAP was given, at least 50 seats. He , however, said AAP would get 75 to 80 seats in Punjab.While the AAP and Congress leaders were gearing up for the D-day, SAD-BJP combine candidate TPS Sidhu too held a meeting with his party agents, telling them to keep a watch on the counting process and maintain records.He too showed little faith in exit polls, stating that these were removed from the reality. Sidhu said the response from people was favourable and there was not triangular contest. He exuded confidence of winning the elections.   When TPS Sidhu was asked as to how he would spend his day, the former Deputy Commissioner said he would go to his party office instead of the counting centre.   

Before verdict, gearing up for last lap

Congress candidate from Kharar Jagmohan Singh Kang with his family members at his residence in Chandigarh.

Shashi Pal Jain

Kharar, February 1o

All three main candidates from Kharar assigned duties to their supporters for the day of counting. The counting for the Kharar constituency will be done under the supervision of SDM-cum-Returning Officer Amaninder Kaur Brar.SAD-BJP candidate Ranjit Singh Gill, a 52-year-old coloniser, went to Kiratpur Sahib in the morning and offered prayers at various gurdawars, seeking blessing of the Sikh Gurus. He hoped for winning the seat. “I am not nervous and accept people’s verdict with grace, love and affection. When ask about various exist polls, Gill said, “These are just estimates. Everything will be in front of you tomorrow. Our party will win the elections.” AAP candidate Kanwar Sandhu today met his party workers in Kharar, giving them necessary instructions. His supporters were seen hopeful of winning the elections.Meanwhile, Congress candidate Jagmohan Singh said, “A large number of people in the constituency voted this time. We are expecting a big win this time.”Speaking about his schedule today, he said, “I was just another day for me. I went to pay last respects to someone at 12 noon. After that, I headed straight to Kurali to be with my supporters and get a hang of the exit polls, which clearly indicate an edge for the Congress. I also met PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh and extended my good wishes to him. Tomorrow is a big day for us and I went to a gurwdara to seek the Almighty’s blessings. The exit polls clearly show that the SAD would be decimated. The actual race is between the Congress and AAP. I am confident of the Congress’ victory.” The Kharar seat was won by Jagmohan Singh Kang in 2012. He had defeated Ujagar Singh Badali of the SAD by 6,779 votes.According to data, the constituency has 2,20,994 voters (1,17050 males and 1,03,940 females). Out of them, 1,59,411 voters (85,887 males and 73,524 females) cast their votes. The total percentage of the voters who exercised their franchise stood at 72.13 per cent this time. Kharar has four third-gender voters but nobody turned up at the polling booth.