58 percent polling reported in Khadoor Sahib by poll

KHADOOR SAHIB: Approximately 58 percent polling was reported in Khadoor Sahib bylelection, the voting for which is held today. The exact polling percentage would be available by late evening.The prestige of ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is at stake in Khadoor Sahib where it is contesting alone against five independent candidates. The Congress and AAP were not contesting the election and BJP is opposing SAD candidate. Ramanjit Singh Sikki of Congress party had won the last election with about 48.82 percent votes against nearest rival Ranjit Singh Brahmpura who got 46.59 percent votes.The by-election is being held after Sikki resigned in protest against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. The Congress had decided not to filed any candidate when Sikki expressed his inability due to his one month ‘sewa’ in Golden Temple.The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) has fielded Ravinder Singh Brahmpura son of former minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura. SAD is facing challenge from none except an independent candidate Sumail Singh Sidhu who has backing of certain groups including a AAP rebel group headed by Yogender Yadav. AAP had abstained from the contest as a policy as it also didnt contest the Dhuri assembly by-election last year.SAD is trying to maximise the polling percentage because its success, if happens, would be gauzed from the number of votes polled to it. There are total six candidates in the fray. The nominations papers of Bhai Baldeep Singh a rebel from AAP were rejected by the returning officer due to invalid vote. Bhai Baldeep Singh is demanding repoll from the constituency.