BJP REBELS WIN 22 OUT OF 25 WARDS IN SADULSHEHAR MC POLL

Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

In the Sadulshehar Municipal Council elections, Pradeep Khichad—who had parted ways with the BJP during the ticket distribution phase and fielded independent candidates in all wards, including his wife and former Chairperson Manisha Khichad—secured a resounding victory today. The BJP managed to win only two wards, while the Congress secured just one.

Candidates supported by Pradeep Khichad won in 22 wards. There is now a strong possibility that Manisha Khichad will once again become the Municipal Council Chairperson. Pradeep Khichad had decided to break away from the BJP and field candidates in all the wards after failing to secure party tickets for his preferred choices. This was his seventh election; he has been contesting elections continuously since 1995. He had sought a BJP ticket for the last two Assembly elections as well but was unsuccessful.

On the day of polling (September 9), a crowd suddenly stormed the polling station in Ward No. 5 around 5 PM, and Pradeep Khichad was assaulted. The following day, he filed a case alleging assault and criminal intimidation against several individuals, including the cousin and official bodyguard of Sadulshehar BJP MLA Gurveer Singh Brar. The MLA was not present at the scene during the commotion.

Following the results, Pradeep Khichad said that the city’s residents stood firmly with him.