Former Union Minister and Patiala MlA Preneet Kaur on Tuesday strongly condemned the postponement of the election of the office bearers of Patran municipal council, where the Congress had won 10 out of 15 wards.
The election was slated for 11 am on Tuesday, and Patiala SDM Gurpal Singh Chahal was appointed as Returning Officer for the purpose.
“He never turned for the election though all the Congress MCs were present on time,” she alleged.
“In the first place, the SAD had rigged municipal elections all over the State in a systematic manner and have now postponed elections of the office bearers in all those municipal councils where their tricks and machinations could stand the strong public attitude,” said Preneet.
She said: “Had there been free and fair elections, the SAD-BJP would have been wiped out completely and rule of law established.”
Preneet regretted the way official machinery had been misused in the elections, saying, “Not only Punjab Police personnel but also the majority of polling staff detailed for duty worked as Akali activists and a large number of bogus votes were openly cast in favour of ruling alliance candidates”.
She said: “The misrule of the SAD-BJP has now maxed out, they cannot suppress the public opinion any longer.”