The political parties throng to show their full strength through road shows at Shahkot Assembly area on Saturday, the last day of poll campaign for bypoll to be held on 28 May.
As the ruling party in the state, Congress’ campaign was anchored by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh while holding a mega show, the two other opponents Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also held road shows led by their top leaders.
An official spokesperson of Congress claimed, Amarinder Singh’s mega road show saw enthusiastic crowds cheering the CM’s cavalcade through the lanes and bylanes of the region.
During the road show, Amarinder Singh claimed that party candidate Hardev Singh Laddi would win the election with a sweeping mandate.
The CM added that he had received highly positive reports about Laddi’s prospects, and the mood in favour of the Congress was palpable, on the ground.
The CM lashed out at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) accusing it lack of development in Shahkot during the 14 years.
The CM also castigated the Akalis accusing them misleading the people on the issue of compensation for muskmelon farmers, whose crop had been destroyed due to hailstorm.
The CM said assessment of the losses had already been completed through Girdawari (record of land cultivation) and compensation would be released after the election code of conduct is lifted.
“The dues of the sugar mill owners, to the tune of Rs 70 Crore, had also been released by the government and the same would be disbursed after the election process is completed”, he added.
Meanwhile, AAP candidate for Shahkot bypoll, Rattan Singh got an overwhelmed support from his top party leaders including Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Singh also got a support from an independent candidate, Manohar Lal, who decided to support Singh while withdrawing his candidature.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sukhpal Singh Khaira claimed that AAP will win the seat as people in Shahkot were looking forward for a change.
“It is an opportunity for the people of the Shahkot to decided a better candidate for the development of the area”, Khaira said.
The SAD also held a similar road show to show its strength and campaigned for party candidate Naib Singh under the leadership of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who cornered the ruling Congress for not fulfilling poll promises.
Over 1.72 Lakh voters will decide the fate of 12 candidates for just one Assembly seat in Shahkot on Monday.