Civic polls: All-out battle in Sonipat as BJP, Congress, INLD, JJP go solo

Sonipat: The political temperature in Sonipat has risen ahead of the municipal corporation elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) gearing up for a high-stakes, multi-cornered contest.Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli said the party is confident of victory. A five-member panel will conduct ground visits from April 16 to 18 across municipal bodies to assess the situation, with the final candidate list to be cleared on April 20. Ministers Krishna Panwar and Jawahar Saini have been appointed election in-charges for Sonipat. The BJP will contest all seats on its symbol.The elections will be held on May 10.Leader of opposition and Congress functionary Bhupinder Singh Hooda attacked the BJP over law and order, alleging a rise in crime. He said Congress will fight the polls on the issues of lack of development, rising corruption, inflation and falling safety levels, claiming widespread public disillusionment. Party spokesperson Manoj Ridhaoo questioned the timing of the poll notification and sought a fresh one, citing lack of clarity on reservations. The party, however, will contest all 24 wards and the mayoral post on its symbol.INLD state president Rampal Majra said the party will field candidates on all seats independently, with selections to follow consultations with workers. The party plans to campaign on sanitation, sewerage failures, water contamination, inflation and unemployment.Former deputy CM Dushyant Chautala said the JJP will also go solo, fielding candidates for all posts while focusing on organisational strengthening and grassroots mobilisation.Polling is scheduled for May 10, with counting on the same day. With candidate announcements due soon, the campaign is expected to intensify further.