Congress party on Sunday demanded strict action against SAD for allegedly circulating a “misleading pamphlet” which targets the policy issues having a direct bearing on four types of voters — labourers, SCs, BCs, farmers and government employees.
The complaint, filed by Punjab Congress general secretary Captain Sandeep Sandhu to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju, pointed out that a careful perusal of 35 points mentioned in the pamphlet directly violates the provisions of Model Code of Conduct.
Captain Sandhu mentioned that these mentioned voters were the backbone of state economy and were being targeted with false information on policy matters “not only to manipulate their minds against Punjab Chief Minister but is also in clear violation of fundamental component of general elections, i.e. free and fair elections”.
He said that apart from these categories, certain religious issues have also been highlighted in the pamphlet thereby misleading the voters in the name of religion. “SAD’s action is a result of deliberation which is impregnated with utmost malaise and puts to display the party's utter disregard towards the institution of democracy and ongoing electoral process,” the complaint added.
In another complaint, Congress has immediately demanded stringent action against SAD-BJP regarding “gross misconduct for misusing Cinema multiplexes and PTC Channel to run false advertisement in their favour to malign the name of Punjab Chief Minister, and the Congress party”.
The Congress party demanded a stern and urgent action against SAD (Badal) and BJP for “blatant illegal action” and necessary action to ban screening of particular advertisement which presently was being openly screened all over Punjab in cinema halls and multiplexes and PTC channels.
Congress party has also sought an appropriate legal action against the violators as they have committed a clear cut breach of the Code of Conduct to ensure free and fair parliamentary elections in the state.
ECI ORDERS PROBE INTO ‘BRIBE’ ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WARRING
A day after SAD filed a complaint supported with a video to the poll panel, the Election Commission on Sunday ordered an enquiry into allegations that the Congress candidate for Bathinda Lok Sabha seat Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had offered money to an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activist.
Two elections officials in Bathinda constituency have been asked to probe the incident and submit a report.
Raja Warring, who is the Congress’ sitting legislator from Gidderbaha, said that the enquiry will clear everything regarding the alleged incident.
The SAD had on Saturday urged the EC to register a case against Raja Warring and cancel his nomination for allegedly trying to bribe an AAP activist.
A SAD delegation, led by party’s senior vice president Daljit Singh Cheema had submitted a formal representation to Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr Karuna Raju in this regard, along with a video evidence.
Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) chief Sukhpal Singh Khaira also demanded cancellation of Raja Warring's candidature and registration of a case against him.
SSF CHIEF COMPLAINS AGAINST CM FOR VIOLATING CODE
Sehajdhari Sikh Federation (SSF) president and independent candidate from Sri Anandpur Sahib Dr Paramjeet Singh Ranu filed a complaint to the poll panel for restraining Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for accompanying Congress candidates while filing nominations in Deputy Commissioner offices and also for issuing threats to the Ministers and allurement of MLAs by offering chairmanships which indirectly tantamount to pressurising and is in violation of election code of conduct.
Dr Ranu, in his complaint to the Election Commission of India, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer, and Anandpur Sahib Returning Officer, alleged that the Chief Minister “is threatening his ministers and subordinate MLAs to support Congress’ candidates and creating a terror in the masses and subordinates when he is accompanying the Congress candidates while filing nominations in the DC office”.