SAD-BJP combine on Monday requested Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore to direct institution of a judicial inquiry into the politico-administration-election observer nexus which had throttled democracy in elections to the municipal bodies in the state by working to further the cause of the Congress party.
The joint SAD-BJP delegation, led by SAD president Sukhbir Badal and state BJP chief and Union Minister Vijay Sampla, said that the “nexus” had conspired and worked in tandem to harass SAD-BJP candidates at every stage of the election process including denying them no objection certificates and even refusing to accept their nomination papers.
The leaders maintained that they are approaching the Governor because the representations to the State Election Commission did not bear fruit and elections were not countermanded at four places which witnessed widespread violence including shooting at Akali workers besides physical assaults as well as tearing up of nomination papers.
Sukhbir also urged the Governor to direct the Congress government to requisition para-military forces to conduct the forthcoming elections to municipal bodies.
“There is no possibility of a free and fair election in the present circumstances. An atmosphere of fear has been created in the minds of people and there is likelihood of mass scale rigging and violence against SAD-BJP workers. In such a situation only para-military forces can ensure conduct of free and fair elections,” he said.
They urged the Governor to issue strict instructions to the Chief Secretary stating that he will be held personally responsible if officials play a partisan role in favour of the Congress party in the civic elections.
Due action should be taken against officials who had behaved as Congress agents from the day the election process for the municipal elections started, they demanded.
eanwhile, the delegation also urged the Governor to take an explanation from the State government as to why the State Congress chief was issuing statements on behalf of the police force. “The manner in which Sunil Jakhar had issued statements on police functioning made it amply clear that the police was not working in an independent manner,” said the delegation.
They urged the Governor to convey to the State government clearly that its political leaders could not usurp the powers of the police force.