SAD Triumphs in Rampura Phul Block Samiti Election, Outmaneuvers AAP-Congress Combine
In a significant political development, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has clinched both the top positions in the Rampura Phul block samiti, located in Bathinda district. The election, conducted under the vigilant supervision of the Bathinda deputy commissioner and a Punjab and Haryana High Court-appointed observer, saw SAD candidates Mandeep Kaur and Kirandeep Kaur emerge victorious as chairperson and vice-chairperson, respectively.
Election Results and Voting Dynamics
Both Mandeep Kaur and Kirandeep Kaur secured 10 votes each, narrowly defeating their rival candidates who managed to garner 9 votes each. This outcome is particularly noteworthy as it marks another instance where the Congress party extended its support to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominees, mirroring a strategy previously employed in the Baghapurana block samiti election. However, this time, the alliance failed to secure the posts, highlighting a shift in local political fortunes.
The Rampura Phul block samiti comprises 18 members, with SAD holding a majority of 10 seats, followed by AAP with 5, Congress with 2, and 1 Independent member. All 10 SAD members unanimously voted for the party's nominees for both positions, demonstrating strong internal cohesion. In contrast, the AAP-Congress combine, despite receiving support from the two Congress members and the Independent, fell short by a single vote for each post.
Background and Court Intervention
The election was held under specific court directives after an earlier poll on March 18 ended inconclusively amid allegations by SAD that its members were prevented from participating. Following a petition filed by SAD members, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on March 25, ordered a re-election to be conducted under the supervision of the deputy commissioner and in the presence of an observer. This judicial intervention ensured a fair and transparent electoral process, which ultimately favored SAD.
Bathinda deputy commissioner Rajesh Dhiman confirmed the election of Mandeep Kaur and Kirandeep Kaur, although district authorities had not officially declared the results until Wednesday evening. Senior SAD leader and former minister Sikandar Singh Maluka commented on the outcome, emphasizing that despite the backing from Congress and the Independent, AAP could not secure either post, underscoring the effectiveness of SAD's campaign strategy.
Political Repercussions and Context
Following the announcement of the results, SAD workers gathered outside the deputy commissioner's office, raising slogans against AAP MLA Balkar Singh Sidhu, reflecting the heightened political tensions in the region. This victory comes just days after the Baghapurana block samiti election in Moga district, where an AAP-Congress understanding had successfully defeated SAD. In that earlier election, held on March 28, SAD failed to maintain party unity, losing to the undeclared alliance despite having a strength of 13 members in a house of 26, including an MLA. Akali Dal received 12 votes, while AAP secured 14 votes to elect the chairperson.
The Rampura Phul outcome thus represents a reversal of fortunes for SAD, signaling a potential resurgence in local governance bodies. It also highlights the ongoing political maneuvering between major parties in Punjab, with block samiti elections serving as critical battlegrounds for influence and control. The court-supervised process has added a layer of credibility to the results, ensuring that electoral integrity is upheld amidst competitive politics.
