Ahead the crucial Punjab panchayat polls scheduled for September 19, the ruling Congress party is marred by strong factionalism and a revolt within. So much so that Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar has to issue a warning note to its rebels on Wednesday.

Jakhar has warned the party’s ‘rebel’ leaders and asked them to support the party’s “official” candidates in the ensuing elections to 22 Zila Parishads and 150 Panchayat Samitis or else face disciplinary action.

“Congress party will lead in Panchayti Raj institutions election with huge margin as the party has support from all the segments of society,” said Jakhar.

He said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are not seen anywhere in the electoral fray and the people of Punjab had already rejected them.

Congress had faced strong factionalism in the state during the process of ticket distribution, and the situation ended up with multiple nominations, along with the official candidate, including the state congress president’s own home town.

That too despite all out efforts made by Jakhar, along with the party’s general secretary in-charge of party office Capt Sandeep Sandhu, to resolve the issue.

A senior Congress leader said that to send across a strong message to the rebels, the party has decided to initiate strict action against them, and this warning should not be considered lightly.

855 CANDIDATES FOR ZILA PARISHAD, 6,028 FOR PANCHAYAT SAMITIES IN FRAY

Elections symbols have been allotted to 855 candidates for 22 Zila Parishads and 6028 candidates for 150 Panchayat Samitis in Punjab for September 19 elections.

On the last day of withdrawal of nomination papers, as many 3,734 candidates has withdrawn their papers, out of which 446 candidates of Zila Parishads and 3,288 candidates are from Panchayat Samitis.

Spokesperson said that material related to the elections has been distributed and the printing process of ballot papers has also started.

402 CANDIDATES ELECTED UNOPPOSED

Punjab State Election Commission spokesperson said that a total of 33 candidates of Zila Parishads and 369 candidates of Panchayat Samitis have been elected unopposed.

PAID HOLIDAY ON SEPT 19

Punjab Government has declared September 19 as paid holiday for workmen working in the shops, commercial establishments and factories situated within the state to exercise their franchise in the general election of Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.

Spokesperson said that the Punjab Government has declared paid holiday to enable the workmen working in shops, commercial establishments and factories to cast their vote in the general election of Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samitis to be held on September 19, Wednesday.

It shall be weekly paid holiday for all factories where Wednesday is not close day within the State in lieu of their normal weekly holiday, said the spokesperson.