Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday accused the Congress and Akali Dal of using liquor, money and muscle power to win the panchayat elections in Punjab.
“The traditional parties — Congress and Akali Dal — are ruing the panchayat raj system in the state by using bad tools. Both parties are trying hard to woo the voters with money and liquor and the administration is keeping its eyes close,” said the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Harpal Singh Cheema.
Cheema said that liquor brought from Rajasthan and Haryana is being distributed in Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala and other districts of Malwa region, and “the administration is playing in the hands of the ruling party”.
“It is sad to know that Akali Dal which claims to be a panthic party, is also indulging in distributing liquor during the shaheedi pandharwara (the fortnight of the martyrdom of Sahibzadas),” he said.
Cheema said that although Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, before the elections, promised to weed out drugs in the state holding Gutka Sahib, but the Congress has surpassed all limits in distributing drugs during these elections.
In an appeal to the voters, especially women, Cheema urged them to vote for the candidates with clear image and reject those who are indulging in promoting drugs in the state. “Only educated and sincere candidates can do good to the voters after winning the elections,” he said.