Swaraj Abhiyan to back Sujata Gupta in MCD by-polls

Swaraj Abhiyan will back Sujata Gupta as an independent candidate in the upcoming municipal corporation by-polls.
Led by activist Yogendra Yadav and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan, the organization had earlier shortlisted Gupta and Amanjyot Kaur, both related to the organisation, and social activists Pankaj Gupta and Ashok Sharma as probable candidates to contest from Wazirpur ward.
It facilitated a debate among the candidates and asked people to choose among them. The results of the voting were declared today.
Modeled on the lines of US primaries, the candidates debated on how they would address the woes of their ward. The organisation had also roped in services of former Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh Noor Mohammad for overseeing the candidate selection process.

5,078 people from the ward voted in the process via SMS and IVR. Gupta secured 43.89 per cent of votes, followed by Kaur 31.89. She file her nomination tomorrow, the organisation said.
MCD-bpolls for 13 wards would be held on May 15 and counting of votes will take place on May 17.
Swaraj Abhiyan is not a political party yet, but may soon make an announcement in this regard in the coming two-three months.