A straight contest between a BJP “nominated” Sarpanch candidate and an independent candidate in Sarpanch Halqa Shrakwara generated interest among some of the voters who voted to “ensure that the BJP candidate is defeated”.
As the day progressed, a handful of people came to cast their vote and finally it was the independent candidate, Narinder Kour, who was declared winner. Kour secured 76 votes against her rival Vipin Jote Kour, a BJP nominated candidate.
Out of total 1712 votes, 102 votes were polled and Narinder Kour got 102 votes, while Vipin Jote Kour got just 26 votes.
Unlike nearest polling booth Nowpora Jagir, the voter turnout at Shrakwara polling booth, located at government girls’ higher secondary school was moderate. “I exercised my franchise in favour of independent candidate. We don’t want to be represented by a BJP sponsored candidate. So to ensure independent candidate’s win, I came to cast my vote” claims Saja Begum.
The shrakwara village has a moderate population of Sikh community who are living along side with their Muslim brethren since decades.
“Our area has mixed population of Sikhs and Muslims. We share our pain and joy together. When it came to panchayat elections, the independent candidate, received full support of people from both the communities. The locals had the opinion that they won’t allow a candidate from BJP to represent from their Sarpanch Halqa,” said Amanjeet Singh, a local.
Narinder Kour said people supported her not just because she was against a BJP candidate, “but I have been in social services for last several years in the area”.