Chandigarh 31.05.2018
The Shahkot Assembly bypoll results, which will be out tomorrow, is being seen as a popularity test for the 14-month-old Congress government in Punjab, with opposition SAD striving to retain its stronghold.
The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in February this year.
While the SAD is striving to retain its pocket borough from where Kohar was elected five-times, the results for the ruling Congress in Punjab is being seen as a barometer for the popularity of the 14-month-old Amarinder Singh dispensation.
During the bypoll, the opposition party had accused the Congress of misusing official machinery against political opponents.
The AAP, which faced a humiliating defeat in the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll and civic polls, is desperately looking for a victory in Shahkot.
The Congress is confident of maintaining the winning momentum by wresting the seat from rival SAD.
latest: 9:55 am
Congress candidate Hardev Singh Laddi has increased his lead over rivals by 8500 votes after completion of fourth round of counting.
In the fourth round, he surged ahead by another 2700 votes.
