Punjab Congress on Friday urged the State Chief Electoral Officer to stay “unconstitutional and populist measures” initiated by the SAD-BJP Government to “influence” voters during ensuing lok Sabha elections.
Seeking “immediate indulgence” of Punjab CEO VK Singh, the party sought directions to the State Government “to revert its official method of distributing tubewell power connections” instead of through “halqa in-charges” of SAD-BJP.
The party also requested the CEO to bar the State Government from carrying pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy son Sukhbir Badal on the proposed ‘Rahat’ certificates, to be issued to the traders.
The party, in the letter addressed to the CEO, stated that the Government has directed the Punjab State Power Corporation limited to hand over approved demand notice or tubewell power connections to the MlA’s and halqa in-charges of the ruling alliance, for distribution to applicants or beneficiaries.
“As per the decision, more than 65,000 tubewell power connections will be distributed across the State, through political leadership of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance.
This politicised mechanism devised will have direct bearing on lakhs of voters,” read the letter. “As per routine, the PSPCl official channels at sub-divisional level send demand notices, through registered post to the applicants according to seniority.
But in order to reap political dividends, SAD-BJP Government has summoned total record of demand notices at PSPCl head office at Patiala on January 29, 2014 which are now to be distributed constituency-wise by political leaders, which amounts to politicization of the PSPCl,” alleged party spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira in the letter.
“Similarly, in yet another politicised decision, Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Excise and Taxation Minister is imposing draconian order upon businessmen and industrialists of Punjab under which all businessmen below ` one crore annual turnover is required to pay specified fees and given a ‘Rahat’ certificate carrying Badals’ photos,” he added.
He added that these ‘Rahat’ certificate were to be displayed at places of business establishments including shops, offices, factories etc having direct influence upon lakhs of voters in the state.
“Congress seeks your immediate indulgence in these unconstitutional measures of the SAD-BJP Government which will influence
voters directly. It is requested that in order to ensure free and fair polls in Punjab, these illegitimate orders or decisions be withdrawn,” State the letter.