Expressing grave concern over the use of Government machinery and bullying by the ruling Congress party to win the upcoming Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat elections in the state, a delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday met the State Election Commissioner to demand security cover to the party candidates for the forthcoming polls besides deployment of paramilitary forces.
AAP delegation, led by senior leader and the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Harpal Singh Cheema, submitted the memorandum raising the issue of providing security to the party candidates for the forthcoming municipal bodies’ elections with the Commissioner JS Sandhu. Besides, the party also demanded deployment of paramilitary forces for smooth completion of election process and safety of the people of Punjab.
The memorandum also mentioned the “ordeal” faced by AAP candidates all over Punjab, following the municipal bodies’ elections process.
“Several incidents at various districts across the State were reported in which the ruling party committed blatant hooliganism, intimidated and prevented AAP candidates from filing the nomination papers, thus assassinating democracy. The law and order situation in the state has been completely destroyed and safety of the people of Punjab and the candidates ahead of the forthcoming municipal bodies’ elections is at risk,” said Cheema.
He said that the bullying was prevalent at various places including Jalalabad, Guru Har Sahai, Zira, Ferozepur, Jagraon, Sunam, Bhikhiwind, Kot Ise Khan, among others.
“In Jalalabad, the ruling Congress party, with the help of police, snatched the nomination papers of AAP candidates and threatened them to kill. All 17 candidates from respective wards of Jalalabad, along with their lawyers while waiting for the SDM to arrive, were ambushed by a mob and their nomination papers and other documents were snatched,” he added.
Similarly, in the municipal council of Guru Har Sahai, the doors of the SDM office were closed and the AAP candidates were not allowed inside the office premises for filing the nomination papers in sheer misuse of power, he alleged.
Cheema said that in Zira, the Congress candidates were visiting the houses of AAP candidates along with police and were threatening them not to file their nomination papers.
“The police, under the influence of the local MLA, were threatening our candidates. Cong workers also intimidated and tore the nomination papers of AAP candidates in Zira on the last day of the nomination process,” he added.
Also mentioning similar incidents in Ferozepur, Jagraon, Sunam, among others, Cheema said that the misuse of power and government resources by the ruling party was thus reprehensible and oppressive.
“To avoid such hooliganism and bullying ahead of the MC elections, we have requested the State Election Commissioner to take necessary action ensuring smooth completion of the election process,” he said after meeting the Commissioner.
15,305 CANDIDATES FILED NOMINATIONS
A total number of 15,305 candidates have filed their nominations for the general or bye-elections of eight Municipal Corporations and 109 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in Punjab, that are slated for polls on February 14. “On the last day of filing nomination papers, a total 15,305 candidates filed nomination papers for 2,302 wards in the State. Out of this, 1,652 candidates are from Congress, 670 of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), 1,526 of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), 1,155 of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 102 of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), seven of PDP, and 10,193 are independent candidates,” said a spokesperson of the Punjab State Election Commissioner on Thursday.
He said that 417 candidates for Municipal Corporation, Bathinda, 388 for Abohar, 420 for Batala, 343 for Hoshiarpur, 577 for Moga, 336 for Pathankot, 419 for SAS Nagar (Mohali), 318 for Kapurthala have filed their nomination papers. Apart from this, 11 candidates filed nomination papers for Ward No 37 of Amritsar Corporation.
PUNJAB GOVT ANNOUNCES PAID HOLIDAY FOR VOTERS ON FEB 14
Punjab Govt on Thursday declared a paid holiday on February 14, 2021, to enable the workers, who are voters of districts where General Elections of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Bye-election to certain wards of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils or Nagar Panchayats to be taken place. “The Government has declared the paid holiday for employees working in the shops, commercial establishments and factories in the public interest where Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils Nagar, Panchayats and Bye-election to be held on February 14, 2021 (Sunday),” said an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government.