MC polls: SAD expels party rebels

Shiromomi Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal today expelled all rebel candidates of SAD contesting civic polls against party nominees.
Disclosing this here, party spokesperson and cabinet minister Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema said these rebels have been expelled from the primary membership of the party.
"There are some 20 candidates who did not withdraw their candidature against SAD nominated contestants in the ensuing civic bodies poll," he said.
"Indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost," Cheema said adding, strict action will be taken against those party functionaries who support the rebels directly and indirectly.
Elections to the six Municipal Corporations, three bye-elections in three wards of two Municipal Corporations of Jalandhar, Patiala will be held on February 25.

Elections will be held to Municipal Corporations of Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Moga, SAS Nagar and Bathinda and in addition to bye-elections to Ward No.49 (General) of Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, Ward No.8 (BC) and 46 (General) of Municipal Corporation, Patiala.

The six Corporations constitute 300 wards, 849 booths, with a total electorate of 7,91,765 voters approximately.
Municipal Corporations have a total of 300 wards of which 145 are for general category, 77 general women, 41 scheduled caste, 25 scheduled caste (women) and 12 backward class.
Ruling SAD-BJP are entering the poll arena in alliance, Congress is fighting it at its own while Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) too has filed its candidates.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had registered win on four parliamentary seats in the Lok Sabha polls, is not contesting the civic polls.