Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on Sunday expressed serious concern over the Election Commissioner OP Rawat’s warning that use of cash may be replaced with liquor, drugs, gold etc in the forthcoming assembly elections following the demonetisation.
“The apprehensions expressed by the Election Commissioner that use of unfair means could not be ruled out, even if use of cash is minimal in the coming polls, had unfortunately vindicated the Congress’ stand on demonetisation,” said PPCC leaders Preneet Kaur, Brahm Mohindra and Nirmal Singh, in a joint statement.
Congress leaders, referring to the Election Commissioner’s remarks, said that with barter deals likely to further vitiate the environment in the poll-bound states, including Punjab, the situation did not seem favourable for free and fair elections.
“Only the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, as demanded by PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh, could ensure that the polls are conducted in a fair manner,” they said, urging the Election Commission to immediately intervene and take the matter in its hands in order to ensure peaceful and just elections in the state.
PPCC leaders said that given the widespread drugs menace already prevailing in the state under the patronage of the Badal Government, the EC’s remarks call for urgent follow-up action.
They pointed out that the Election Commission had even earlier vindicated the Congress charges of large-scale vitiation of political atmosphere in Punjab as a result of armed gangs as well as drugs and illicit liquor having a free run of the state.
The latest statements from the EC endorse the Congress fears that the situation could get aggravated as a result of the ill-conceived demonetisation move of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they said.