Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday demanded immediate countermanding of municipal elections at four places following firing and large scale violence. At the same time, the party demanded action against the officials who did not issue no objection certificates to its candidates.
The delegation, led by SAD senior vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema, gave specific instances of violations committed at various places with photographic evidence to State Election Commissioner Jagpal Singh Sandhu.
It also demanded that elections be countermanded with regard to Mallanwala and Makhu nagar panchayats in Ferozepur district and municipalities of Ghanaur in Patiala district and Baghapurana in Moga district.
The delegation also brought to SEC’s notice that violence had occurred at these four places despite continuous complaints to the Commission during the past three days that the district administration at these four places was not heeding its directions.
Giving details, Cheema said that in case of Mannawala and Makhu, no Akali candidate was given NOC to contest the same despite a complaint filed before the SEC a day before.
“Today, senior Akali leaders including former MlA Joginder Singh Jindu, district president Avtar Singh Zira and Vardev Singh Mann were attacked by Congress goons when they were proceeding to the market committee office in Makhu to get nominations of Akali candidates filed,” he said.
He said that Avtar Zira received injuries in the attack even as the vehicle of Vardev Mann and some other vehicles of their supporters were vandalized by miscreants. “Shots were also fired at the car of Avtar Zira and one bullet even pierced it,” he added. Cheema said that similarly in Baghapurana, Akali workers were attacked outside the SDM office when they were proceeding there to file their nominations and their nomination papers were snatched from them and torn.
He alleged that 14 out of 15 candidates could not file their nominations due to this. “Eight Akali workers were injured in the attack including Baghapurana urban president Pawan Dhand whose arm suffered a major fracture. Others injured included Harmail Singh Maur, former market committee chairman and Baltej Singh, circle president,” he said.
Cheema said that in Ghanaur, Congress goons supported by the local MlA Madan lal Jalalpur snatched away the papers from the hands of Akali candidates and tore them in the office of the SDM.
“SDM refused to accept the papers of Akali candidate Kuldeep Singh from ward number 12 despite Kuldeep being present in his office since 12 noon. Earlier, Kuldeep Singh and his son were beaten up by Congress activist Rajinder Singh, who is the brother of Congress Ghanaur MlA Madan lal Jalalpur. Even former SAD legislator Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur was manhandled in the melee by Congress goons,” alleged Cheema. Cheema informed that in Khemkaran also, an attempt was made to ensure Akali candidates did not file their nomination papers with police raids being conducted at the residences of 13 candidates.