The BJP on Wednesday launched a week-long “padyatra” across Ropar district as part of its campaign strategy for the upcoming municipal council election. The yatra, led by state vice-president Subhash Sharma, began from the main market in Nangal on Wednesday evening. It will cover key urban centres, including Nangal, Anandpur Sahib, and Kiratpur Sahib.While addressing a gathering of party workers, Sharma alleged that the ruling party was trying to add fake voters in every ward of municipal councils ahead of the elections. “Once the final voter list is out, BJP will expose every fake voter added in municipal councils of Ropar district,” he said.He added that party workers would travel on foot through every street of the municipal areas to engage directly with residents. He said the primary objective of the yatra was to raise awareness about what he described as the failures of the ruling AAP government in Punjab, as well as the shortcomings of the previous Congress governments.Sharma alleged that urban local bodies in Punjab have been neglected over the past four years under the AAP government. According to him, municipal councils have not received adequate funding, which has adversely impacted development work in towns and cities. He further claimed that the state government failed to effectively utilise central government schemes aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure and governance.“The condition of urban local bodies reflects the apathy of the present government. Development has stagnated, and essential civic services have suffered due to lack of funds and planning,” Sharma told the media.Targeting the previous Congress government, Sharma also alleged financial irregularities during the Covid pandemic. He claimed that large sums of money allocated to municipal councils were allegedly misappropriated by a nexus between officials and Congress leaders. He further alleged that although the AAP government initially ordered inquiries into these irregularities, the investigations were later shelved.“The AAP government had promised transparency and accountability, but instead of pursuing these cases to their logical conclusion, it has buried them. This indicates a tacit understanding between AAP and Congress,” Sharma alleged.The BJP leader asserted that the yatra would serve as a platform to connect with citizens at the grassroots level and highlight governance issues affecting urban populations. He expressed confidence that the campaign would generate public support for BJP in the municipal election.The announcement signals BJP’s attempt to strengthen its presence in Punjab’s urban political landscape, where municipal elections are expected to witness keen competition among major political parties.