With the state Assembly elections still nearly 10 months away, political activity has started gaining momentum across towns and villages, with ticket aspirants stepping up outreach through posters and social media campaigns.In Fazilka district, Congress leader Sudhir Bhadoo, a former senior vice-president of the party, has put up posters staking his claim on the party ticket from Abohar.Posters put up by a Congress ticket aspirant in Abohar town of Fazilka district.. Image credit/Tribune“Our family has been a staunch supporter of the Congress, and I have sought the party ticket,” he said.Another Congress leader, Krishan Singh Bhagi Wander, is eyeing the party ticket from the Talwandi Sabo Assembly segment in Bathinda district. “I am working at the grassroots level and have put up posters across the constituency,” he said.Meanwhile, AAP leader Sippi Bhaker Maur has been seeking the party ticket from the Maur Assembly segment in Bathinda district. Having joined the AAP during the Lok Sabha elections after leaving the Congress, he said he has installed posters, banners and hoardings across the area to strengthen his claim.Several aspirants have also intensified their presence on social media platforms to reach out to voters well in advance.Leaders across parties say similar activity is being witnessed in multiple constituencies, indicating early mobilisation by aspirants keen to secure party nominations.Reacting to the early buzz, a Cabinet minister said that staking claim for party tickets is a democratic right. “However, merit remains the key criterion. Candidates are screened at multiple levels before finalisation. The performance of sitting MLAs as well as new aspirants is taken into account,” he added.