With Congress not in fray, only SAD-BJP show in Maur Mandi
Though the opposition Congress, like it did in Rampura Phul municipal council (MC), hasn't announced any boycott of the polls in Maur Mandi, yet the situation here is a one-sided show of the SAD-BJP as the alliance has already won seven of the seats 17 seats unopposed.
Though the opposition Congress, like it did in Rampura Phul municipal council (MC), hasn't announced any boycott of the polls in Maur Mandi, yet the situation here is a one-sided show of the SAD-BJP as the alliance has already won seven of the seats 17 seats unopposed.
Surprisingly, the Congress, hasn't fielded candidates for all the 17 wards under the MC as a result of which polls to this civic body have become a SAD-BJP alliance show with both having won 5 and 2 seats respectively unopposed and it is locked in contest with independents in the rest of wards.
Though Congress leaders claim that the party is supporting independents and is campaigning in their support but the total absence of the party symbol in the election has raised questions on the capability of the local leadership.
However, despite the Congress not in the fray, the SAD-BJP alliance is facing contest in many wards from its own people. Many of the Independents on the remaining wards are the alliance supporters, who have been opposing the SAD stand on the issue of a clash between villagers and town residents on the Diwali evening last year. The issue is casting its shadow in the civic body polls. So, the one-sided show of eh alliance might not necessarily work in favour of the alliance in the long run.
Issues
Non-construction of railway underbridge
The foundation stone of a railway underbridge to connect two parts of the city was laid in 2006 by then Talwandi Sabo MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, who was a Congress legislator at that time, but only a foundation stone plate exists at the place now and no further work has been done. The changed political situation in the state in 2007 when the SAD-BJP alliance formed the government in the state replacing the Congress is considered reason behind the non- construction of the underbridge and thousands of people are left to suffer.
Poor health facilities
The state government in 2000 had announced to upgrade the civil hospital and sanction new posts of doctors, nurses and para-medical staff, but out of the total sanctioned 36 posts at the hospital, half are lying vacant. The doctors used to conduct post mortems at the hospital before 2008, but now the practice has been stopped and in case of any mishap, people have to bring bodies to Bathinda civil hospital for autopsy. The post of a dental medical officer is also lying vacant.
Sewerage system
Inaugurated by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal himself in October last year, the newly laid sewerage system in the town is yet to go fully functional as the main drain is yet to be connected with the sewerage treatment plant.