Fight or stay away for at least a decade — the saffron brigade has made this clear to its candidates shying away from contesting the Punjab civic body polls fearing defeat.
Sending out a strong message against the “reluctant attitude” of many of its senior leaders in the districts, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked them to abide by the party’s command.
The “warning” came after many sitting councillors, deputy mayors, and prominent leaders have expressed their unwillingness to contest the December 17 municipal elections — something the party’s state leadership rebuffed as “rumours”.
“Yes, we have decided that any leader, who will refuse to contest MC polls, would be unentitled to get party ticket or any post in the party for the next ten years,” a senior BJP leader told The Pioneer.
At the same time, the leader maintained that there was no such case that any leader, who was given ticket, has refused to contest. “But, we have set the 10-year formula to send across the message that no indiscipline or any act of going against party’s decision would not be tolerated and strict action would be initiated,” said the leader, who did not wish to be named.
Reliable sources within the party have maintained that during the meetings, it has been brought to the notice of party’s state leadership that many leaders have shown disinclination in contesting polls.
“Party has taken very strong note of it and termed them as unfaithful to the party. They are reluctant as the party is out of power in the state. Going by the trend in local body polls, the ruling party wins. And these leaders, fearing defeat, are fragging their feet,” said another BJP leader.
It has been learnt that many BJP leaders also expressed their unwillingness not only because of the ruling Congress party, but also its ally, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). “Many leaders expressed their apprehension in the meeting that despite BJP workers fully supporting the SAD candidates and ensuring their win, the Akali workers work against BJP,” BJP leader said.
Notably, during the previous civic body polls, the decades-old alliance partners — SAD and the BJP — had contested 2015 civic body polls in Tarn Taran separately.
JUST ONE COMPlAINT WITH THE POll PANEl SO FAR
Despite huge clamour over misuse of official machinery by the ruling Congress, the State Election Commission has so far received just one complaint, that too by the SAD-BJP combine against non-issuance of NOCs.
However, the poll panel, on its own, taken strong note of several news reports and issued directions to conform to rules and procedure.
The Commission has issued directions to all the officials concerned to remain in their offices during working hours, from 9 am to 5 pm, and give patient hearing to all the complainants from all parties.
Besides, strict directions have also been issued to the lower authorities that action will be initiated against them in case they found violating the orders.
The Commission has also directed the officials that elections be conducted in a fair and proper manner so that no question be raised on its role and functioning.
The Commission official informed The Pioneer that till now, just one complaint has been received in writing which is from the SAD-BJP regarding its candidates not been able to file nominations and also about the voter list.
Notably, the opposition parties — including SAD-BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — have been raising a lot of hullabaloo accusing the Congress party of misusing official machinery. Questions have also been raised on poll panlel’s woking.
SAD-BJP URGES CEO TO ACT AGAINST OFFICIAlS NOT GIVING NOCs
SAD-BJP combine on Tuesday urged the State Election Commission to take action against the officials working as agents of the Congress party by denying no due certificates to its candidates for the forthcoming municipal elections.
The joint delegation, led by senior Akali leader Jathedar Tota Singh, told the State Election Commissioner Jagpal Singh Sandhu also highlighted the excesses being meted out to SAD candidates in Mallanwala and Makhu in Ferozepur.
“False cases had been registered against five Akali workers who had complained about the conduct of Mallanwala and Makhu nagar panchayat Executive Officer. Akali leaders had approached Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner because the EO was refusing to give them no due certificates. Instead of giving any relief, the local police registered cases against five workers,” alleged the delegation.
Briefing the CEO, SAD vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema said that both SHOs of Mallanwala and Makhu had joined on the same date the municipal elections were announced.
“They should be removed from their posts immediately to ensure free and fair election in both nagar panchayats,” he said while demanding that elections to both Mallanwala and Makhu nagar panchayats be put off and held separately at a later date.
The delegation also told the CEO that no-due-certificates were not being given to Akali workers in Moga, Dharamkot and Baghapurana. Similar situation existed in Rajasansi and unless the CEO did not crack the whip against errant officials, there was no hope of free and fair elections being held in the State, he said.
BJP secretary Vineet Joshi disclosed how names of prospective candidates were being struck off lists and that complaints filed against returning officers were going unheard.
lIST OF OBSERVERS ISSUED
Punjab State Election Commission on Tuesday issued the list of observers for Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchyats election to be held in various districts of State.
Spokesperson said that for Amritsar Municipal Corporation, IAS officers Praneet, BS Dhaliwal, Ashwani Kumar, and MS Narang have been appointed. For Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, TPS Phoolka, Rahul Gupta, Abhinav, Vikas Garg, and BS Rai have been appointed.
In Patiala district, IAS officers Parveen Thind, Amarpal Singh, Sibin C, and PCS officer Hargunjit Kaur have been given the responsibility.
IAS officers GPS Sahota and Sanyam Aggawal have been appointed observers for nagar panchayats in Sangrur district, Puneet Goyal in Kapurthala district, DPS Kharbanda and Varun Roozam for Municipal Councils in ludhiana district, AP Singh Sandhu in Mansa, Arvinder Pal Singh in Bathinda.
Nidhi Kalotra in SBS Nagar district (Hoshiapur), Tejinderpal Singh in Tarn Taran, Mandeep Kaur in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Satkar Singh Bal in Pathankot district.