Punjab: Counting of votes for local body polls underway; AAP claims victory in 927 zones
Chandigarh (PTI): Counting of votes for the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections in Punjab was underway on Wednesday even as the ruling AAP claimed it registered victories in more than 900 zones and was leading in many so far. Complete results are expected late evening, officials said.
The counting of ballot papers started at 8 am at 154 centres set up across the state.
Polls were held to elect members of 347 zones of 22 zila parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 panchayat samitis on December 14.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said the results of zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections declared so far are in AAP's favour. The results and poll trends so far indicated people's inclination towards the Punjab government's policies, he said.
In zila parishad, the results for 71 zones have been declared so far, with AAP winning in 60 zones, the Congress seven, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP one each and two independents, said Arora.
"Almost 85 per cent results (declared so far) are in favour of AAP," he claimed.
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In case of panchayat samitis, Arora said the results for 1,875 zones have been declared, of which AAP candidates won 867 zones, which works out to be about 68 per cent. The Congress managed to win 216 zones, SAD 129, independents 63 and the BJP 20, he said.
He further said AAP is leading in 113 zones of zila parishads and 257 zones of panchayat samitis. "It shows one-sided atmosphere in the poll. People in villages gave their stamps to AAP's good governance," said Arora.
During the polling for zila parishad and panchayat samiti, a voter turnout of 48 per cent was recorded, with more than 9,000 candidates in the fray.
Earlier in the day in Patiala, SAD workers alleged they were denied entry to a counting centre on the Patiala-Nabha road. SAD leader Jaspal Singh claimed Rahul Saini, son of Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, was inside the counting centre, while opposition representatives were denied entry.
The opposition leaders demanded immediate intervention by election authorities to ensure transparent and fair counting, saying that "continued interference" would undermine public faith in the democratic process.
At the University College, Ghanaur, during the counting for the Shambhu block, former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur alleged that sitting MLA Gurlal Singh Ghanaur entered the counting centre without authorisation.
Jalalpur claimed that despite possessing valid passes, he and his counting agents were stopped outside, while the MLA was allowed in.
He alleged that police officers present at the centre did not intervene despite repeated complaints.
Candidates of all major political parties -- AAP, the Congress, SAD, and the BJP -- contested the zila parishad and panchayat samiti polls on party symbols.
On December 14, the Congress and SAD accused AAP of indulging in "blatant electoral malpractices" during the polling. Earlier, they had targeted the Bhagwant Mann government, accusing it of using the government machinery to prevent their candidates from filing nomination papers and getting those rejected.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
