Straight contest likely this time

The polls this time are likely to be different, with a change in the elections issues also expected, after the entry of a national leader in the fray. These elections also have a major third candidate from the UT seat former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan, missing from the poll scene. The issue of maintaining UT status for Chandigarh will, however, continue to be a major issue in the polls.

A former MP from the city, Dhawan joined the Congress a few days ago in Delhi, pledging all-out support to the Congress nominee. He had lost the last three elections, but had managed to hold on to his 40,000 vote bank.

While the BJP has the advantage of fielding a national leader, which will also further consolidate the Vajpayee factor among the electorate in the city, the Congress will have the advantage of the acceptance factor of Sonia Gandhi among Chandigarhians.

In fielding Sharma, the BJP will also harp on the issue of seeing him earn a ministerial berth in the Cabinet in case the BJP romps home to power, which might see higher status for the city and proper redressal of local problems. The Congress, on the other hand, has the advantage of having Dhawan in their camp this time, who has also extended all-out support for Bansal. In fielding Bansal, the Congress will also harp on issue of assuring quick redressal of the local problems of the city residents. With both having a clean image, the two nominees are evenly placed on this issue.

Sharma, however, faces an uphill task of curbing dissidence within the party and taking former MP Satya Pal Jain alongwith, in his support. Bansal also faces a similar situation of curbing internal dissidence as his candidature was opposed by two major factions in the city. This was also considered as one of the factors for his defeat in the last elections.

Meanwhile, as both face the litmus test in the city, they will go all out to prove their worth among Chandigarhians as the career of one and the standing of another are at stake.