More trouble is in store for Punjab local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi in the ‘dual vote’ matter, as the Election Commission has decided to put the BJP minister on notice. This is not all! The Punjab Congress is also planning to move the Election Commission seeking action against Joshi.
Joshi, along with his family members, are alleged for having more than one votes in their names. Only a fortnight ago, a criminal complaint was filed against Joshi and his kin for enrolling as voters from more than one place.
After conducting detailed inquiries in the matter, the issue is now before the Election Commission’s three-member full commission. It has been learnt that soon the Commission would issue a notice to Joshi in the matter.
At the same time, the state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday made it clear that the party would lodge a complaint with the Commission. On January 27, the ECI issued a notice to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer seeking action taken report against Joshi and his family members in connection with the allegations, besides directions of filing complaint against the Minister.
Amritsar’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal on February 25 filed a criminal complaint against Joshi and eight members of his family for having enrolled as voters at two different places under Section 31 (read with Sections 17 and 18) of the Representation of People Act in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate PS Rai.
The Minister, his mother Pushpa Joshi, wife Monica Joshi, his brother Vijay Joshi, Rajesh Joshi, Varinder Joshi, Poonam Joshi, Mamta Joshi and Jyoti Joshi have been asked to appear in the court on the next hearing on April 9.