SLUG: PUNJAB BYPOLLS
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken swift action in response to serious allegations surrounding the ongoing by-election in the Dera Baba Nanak assembly constituency in Gurdaspur district, transferring the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jasbir Singh of Dera Baba Nanak to the Punjab Police headquarters in Chandigarh. The move came after the complaints made by Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who accused gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, currently incarcerated in Haryana’s Kurukshetra Jail, of influencing voters to back the AAP candidate in the November 20 election.
The ECI has approved the name of Joga Singh, Kapurthala DSP, to take over as DSP of Dera Baba Nanak. Randhawa, a former Deputy Chief Minister and the husband of Congress candidate for Dera Baba Nanak Jatinder Kaur, filed a complaint with the Election Commission on Friday, claiming that the “jailed gangster” Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was using video calls from prison to intimidate voters and Congress workers, urging them to vote for the AAP candidate Gurdeep Singh Randhawa.
Randhawa further alleged that Bhagwanpuria’s mother, Harjit Kaur, was visiting the homes of Congress-supporting Sarpanches in the constituency, threatening them to support AAP or face the consequences from her son. Despite reporting the matter to local police authorities, Randhawa claimed that no action was taken, suggesting that the gangster was operating with government backing.
Punjab CEO writes to Haryana for Increased Vigilance on ‘Gangster’
In response to these allegations, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C has written to the Haryana Prisons Department, requesting heightened surveillance of Bhagwanpuria in Kurukshetra Jail. The request came after serious concerns were raised by Batala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Suhail Mir Qasim regarding potential illegal communication by the gangster from prison. The CEO's letter emphasized the importance of immediate action, including a thorough inspection of Bhagwanpuria’s jail cell and the surrounding area to confiscate any unauthorized communication devices. The CEO has also urged the Haryana Prisons Department to send a report on the findings to the Election Commission for further scrutiny.
Deployment of Paramilitary Forces
In a bid to ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission has deployed two companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) to maintain peace and security in Dera Baba Nanak constituency. Randhawa had earlier requested the deployment of paramilitary forces to safeguard against the alleged influence of gangsters in the election process. The by-election in Dera Baba Nanak, set for November 20, is crucial for Randhawa, whose wife, Jatinder Kaur, is vying for the seat. The seat became vacant after Sukhjinder Randhawa was elected as the MP for Gurdaspur earlier this year. Despite the gravity of the accusations, a district police official mentioned that no direct evidence had been found to substantiate the claims, as no voters or Congress workers came forward to confirm they had received threatening calls from Bhagwanpuria. Nonetheless, the case has raised significant concerns about the influence of organized crime on the electoral process in Punjab.
Manpreet Accused of Promising Govt Jobs to Youth
The complaint against BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal, who is contesting the Gidderbaha seat for the sixth time, came after a video surfaced on social media. In the video, Manpreet was seen addressing a crowd, claiming that he could influence job recruitments for local youngsters, particularly in the Punjab Roadways and Indian Railways. The video quickly went viral, prompting the Muktsar District Public Relations Officer to submit a formal complaint to the Election Commission. The allegation was that Manpreet was attempting to sway the rural electorate by promising them government jobs in return for their support. However, the BJP leader clarified the issue on social media, explaining that he was only offering guidance to rural youth regarding job opportunities and suggesting institutions that could help prepare them for the competitive exams required for government positions. Despite the clarification, both Congress and AAP have raised concerns about the potential breach of the model code of conduct.
Warring Accused of Electioneering at Mosque
In another development, Punjab Congress president Warring has been served a notice for allegedly violating the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act. The complaint, lodged by Punjab BJP leaders, stemmed from Warring’s visit to a mosque in Gidderbaha on Sunday, where he reportedly addressed a gathering during the campaign in support of his wife Amrita. The issue arose when Warring posted photos of the event on his social media account, showcasing him addressing voters at the mosque. BJP leaders accused him of using religious spaces for political purposes, which they claimed goes against the principles outlined in the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act. Warring later modified the description accompanying the photos, further fueling speculation about the propriety of his actions.
BOX: EC ISSUES NOTICES TO MANPREET, WARRING FOR POLL CODE VIOLATION
Setting 24-hour deadline, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal — BJP candidate for Gidderbaha assembly bypoll, and Congress MP from Ludhiana Amarinder Singh Raja Warring — husband of Congress candidate Amrita Warring, for allegedly violating the model code of conduct during their respective campaigns. The notices were served late on Monday night, following complaints regarding their campaign activities. Gidderbaha Returning Officer (RO) Jaspal Singh Brar confirmed that both politicians have been given 24 hours to submit their replies.
