Polling for Punjab’s two Assembly constituencies — Patiala and Talwandi Sabo — on Thursday was by and large peaceful with a few cases of violence or fake voting received from some parts.

In all, approximately 58 per cent voters in Patiala and 68 per cent in Talwandi Sabo exercised their franchise to seal the fate of candidates in the ballot boxes, to be declared on Monday — the day counting of votes would be taken up. The percentage would be revised when the final tally becomes available.

The main leaders in fray are Congress’ Preneet Kaur, SAD-BJP’s Bhagwan Dass Juenja, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Harjit Singh Adaltiwala in Patiala urban segment; while at Talwandi Sabo, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu from SAD-BJP, Harminder Singh Jassi from Congress, Baljinder Kaur from AAP and singer and AAP rebel Balkar Sidhu is contesting polls as an Independent.

Of the polling booths, 159 in Talwandi Sabo and 170 in Patiala were declared hypersensitive, with neutral paramilitary force deployed inside and Punjab Police outside.In relatively peaceful bypolls, Akali workers were alleged to have fired the gunshots at Raman Mandi in Talwandi Sabo assembly constituency; while the Congress activists allegedly damaged the vehicles there.

The “murderous attack” by Akali goons on the Congress candidate Jassi in Rama Mandi was strongly condemned by the state party president Partap Singh Bajwa. He said: “Despite excesses, booth capturing, buying of votes and other illegitimate means resorted to by the ruling Akali Dal, the Congress would retain this seat with a comfortable margin.”

Bajwa, alleging that Akali Dal activists opened fire in Rama Mandi to create scare in Congress-dominated area, said that such terror tactics would prove to be counter-productive. Talwandi Sabo polls will herald Punjab towards freedom from tyrant and corrupt regime, he added.

He also slammed the Akali Dal for resorting to booth capturing, pressure tactics and other excesses in villages like Dunewal, Jeon Singhwala, Malkana, Giana, Bhagwanpur, some wards of Rama Mandi, Bangi Nihal Singh, leleana and Shergarh. “Talwandi Sabo was the seat of Takht Damdama Sahib, but Akali Dal has desecrated this sacred land by large scale distribution of drugs to lure the voters,” he alleged.

Bajwa said that Akali activists openly indulged in purchase of votes on a large scale. Moreover, the Akali leaders from outside the constituency blatantly violated Election Commission’s directives to leave the area after end of campaigning.

“They were seen roaming around freely and pressurizing voters, and the Congress activists are meted out diametrically opposite treatment by the administration,” he said.Bajwa also blasted the ruling party for brazen misuse of state machinery in an effort to facilitate victory of deserter from the Congress who was fielded by the Akali Dal.

In another incident in Patiala, three females were arrested allegedly for fake voting in favour of Akali Dal-BJP candidate.Polling was brisk in both Patiala and Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituencies as during the first four hours the poll percentage was around 20 and 25 per cent respectively.In the previous two byelections — Dasuya and Moga, SAD has maintained its winning streak.

SAD’s win from Talwandi Sabo seat has become crucial after Sidhu, the sitting Talwandi Sabo MlA, quit the party and Punjab assembly’s membership to join the ruling party.