Panchkula: The upcoming municipal corporation elections in Panchkula are witnessing no or subdued presence from the INLD and the JJP, both of which stem from Chaudhary Devi Lal’s clan, that was once a dominant political force in Haryana.The JJP, which last time contested Panchkula civic body elections in alliance with the BJP, has completely stayed away from contesting the polls on party symbol this time. It has neither fielded a candidate for the post of mayor nor for councillors. The party’s absence from the electoral fray has raised eyebrows, especially given its earlier role in state politics.Similarly, the INLD appears to be contesting on a restricted scale, having fielded councillor candidates on only seven seats in total 20 wards. But unlike the JJP, it is contesting for the post of mayor. Even as the BJP, Congress and the AAP released their manifesto, the INLD has not done so far, further indicating a low-intensity campaign.After the May 10 election date was announced last month, the district unit of the JJP had shown enthusiasm and in its meeting, it decided to propose the name of its mayor candidate OP Sihag. However, the JJP, which was at that time involved in a road rage incident related to its leader and former deputy chief minister Dushant Chautala and the police, conveyed to the district unit not to fight the polls.On this, Panchkula JJP president OP Sihag, told TOI, “It was decided by the party not to contest on a symbol, instead support good Independent candidates. We are supporting four Independents, three of whom are aligned to the JJP. These are local elections and sometimes parties do not fight them. These, like panchayat elections, are often not fought on ideology. .”In the last civic polls, it won two seats in alliance with the BJP, though both later joined the saffron party after which the two parties severed ties.
