In the run-up to the elections, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Panchkula candidate Prem Garg has pledged to eliminate the long-standing issue of the Jhuriwala dumping site, which has been a source of complaints from residents for over two decades. This follows his earlier commitment to make Panchkula slum-free. Residents of multiple sectors and neighboring villages have raised concerns about the stench and potential groundwater contamination from the dumping ground. Garg proposed managing the daily waste output of 100 to 200 tonnes through a modern waste disposal plant that would convert wet waste into organic fertilizer and recycle dry waste, potentially generating revenue for the municipal corporation.
On the BJP side, Bhojpuri actor and BJP MP Dinesh Lal Nirahua lent his support to sitting MLA Gian Chand Gupta’s campaign in Panchkula. Nirahua, addressing a rally in Bhojpuri near Indira Colony, emphasized Gupta’s contributions to the Purvanchal community, particularly the establishment of a Chhath Ghat. He urged voters to back Gupta and promised to celebrate the next Chhath Puja in Panchkula. He expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power with a full majority, attributing the support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
In Kalka, BJP candidate Shakti Rani Sharma focused her campaign on eradicating the drug menace and improving education, sports, and healthcare facilities. She vowed to make Kalka drug-free and ensure its development.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate Pradeep Chaudhary criticized the BJP’s track record in Kalka, accusing them of making false promises after failing to address issues like drug abuse over the past decade. He positioned his party as serious about tackling the drug problem and accused the BJP of misleading the public for political gain.
