Premium

Week after audio row, Patiala sees maximum candidates in fray in Zila Parishads

In Patiala, 143 candidates passed the scrutiny on December 5 and 30 of them withdrew their nominations on last date of withdrawal of nominations on December 6.

3 min readChandigarhDec 13, 2025 11:03 AM IST

Patiala: A student addresses an election meeting in support of her father, Congress candidate Yadwinder Singh Dhindsa, for the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls at Panodia village, in Patiala district, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (PTI Photo)

With 113 candidates in the fray for Zila Parishad elections, Patiala topped the district contestant list for the upcoming zila parishad and block samiti elections scheduled to be held on Sunday.

This comes days after a audio clip purportedly of Patiala SSP Varun Sharma heard directing his subordinates to prevent Opposition candidates from filing their nomination papers for the rural polls went viralzila parishad and block samiti elections, stirred a controversy prompting SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa moving PILs in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. SSP Sharma is now on a week’s leave.

However, even after the controversy, Patiala is the only district that has seen number of candidates in fray crossing the 100 mark.

Also Read | Patiala SSP audio clip row: HC asks Punjab Election Commission to act neutrally in probe

In Patiala, 143 candidates passed the scrutiny on December 5 and 30 of them withdrew their nominations on last date of withdrawal of nominations on December 6.

Punjab’s largest district Ludhiana, is also trailing behind Patiala with 97 candidates in the fray for Zila Parishad elections. As many as 130 were able to file nominations and 33 withdrew their papers on the last day.

Jalandhar has 83 candidates in fray with 31 withdrawing after 114 had passed the scrutiny. Sangrur and Hoshiarpur districts both have 80 candidates in fray each.

In Amritsar, the district saw maximum number of withdrawals at 51 and only 65 candidates in fray even as 119 had filed their nominations. In Barnala, out of 40 nominations clearing the scrutiny, 35 are left in the fray. In Bathinda, out of 86 nomination papers accepted, 63 candidates are in fray with 23 withdrawing their papers.

Story continues below this ad

The Opposition parties in Punjab had alleged “excesses” by the ruling party government for not allowing the Opposition candidates to file their papers. In Patiala, an off video had gone viral in which papers of a Congress candidate was snatched by a man, trying to cover his face with his jacket.

In Ferozepur, nomination papers of 90 candidates were found to have passed the scrutiny with 24 withdrawing the papers and 66 remaining in the contest. The minimum number of 16 candidates in fray were in Tarn Taran district out of which 12 were elected unanimously. As many as 13 had withdrawn their papers. Pathankot, Ropar and Nawanshahar have only 32, 36 and 38 candidates respectively. Barnala and Faridkot also have 35 and 38 candidates respectively.

Fazilka, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Gurdaspur have 65,39 and 73 candidates respectively. In others – Kapurthala (44), Moga (69), Mansa (42), Malerkotla (40) and Muktsar (51). Only two districts have seen unanimously elected candidates. Besides Taran Tarn, where 13 candidates were elected unopposed, three candidates were elected unanimously in Amritsar. A total of 1250 candidates are in fray in Zila Parishad elections across the state.

In Block Samiti elections, Ludhiana (793) has maximum candidates in fray followed by Patiala (621). Amritsar has 379, Barnala has 179, Bathinda has 448, Ferozepur has 319, Faridkot has 227, Fazilka has 416 candidates contesting the elections.

Story continues below this ad

Fatehgarh Sahib has seen 263 candidates, Gurdaspur (494), Hoshiarpur (582), Jalandhar (586), Kapurthala ( 278), Ludhiana ( 793), Moga (333), Mansa (256), Malerkotla (134), Muktsar (338), Patiala (621), Pathankot (285), Ropar (280), Nawanshahar (241), Sangrur (439), Tarn Taran (217).

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Patiala

Loading Recommendations...

Mar 15: Latest News

Live Blog