SMC Election campaign enters feverish pitch

Shimla, May 15 (UNI) Election fever gripped the town as door-to-door campaign for Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) Elections began today with contestants trying to woo voters by promising to solve problems typical to their ward.

In Krishnanagar ward reserved for Women, the contest is trianglular among Congress, BJP and CPI(M). All the contestants -- Kaushalaya (Congress), Vandhna (BJP) and Tripti CPI(M) -- are first-timers.

Regularisation of illegal Dhabas and basic amenities are the main issues of all parties here.

In Nabha, Congress and BJP are the main contestants with both parties giving chance to new faces, Amit Nanda from Congress and Gaurav Sharma from BJP.

Civic facilities and beautification of ward is the prime agenda of Congress for the election against BJP which holds the seat and was counting on the works done during its tenure.

In Ward Phagli, Congress has given ticket to Shashi Shekhar an old face in SMC elections, who had been consecutive winner twice from Nabha and once from Phagli and was Deputy Mayor twice. BJP has given second chance to Sanjay Sood to contest the SMC elections.

Elections to Shimla Muncipal Corporation was getting tough for all three main parties in absence of any major issue to rally around.

Issues like price hike, drinking water scarcity, PMT scam and Jaundice outbreak are common to all and required to be solved at a larger forum.

The contestants to SMC are focussing on local issues affecting population in a particular ward and those who will be able to project plans to solve these issues were likely to come out the winner.

UNI