Politico-officer-election observer alleged nexus throttled democracy in civic polls: SAD
Chandigarh, Dec 11 – A joint SAD-BJP delegation today requested Punjab Governor V P 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 Punjab by working to further the cause of the Congress party.
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The delegation, was led by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and State BJP chief Vijay Sampla[/caption]
The delegation, which was led by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and State BJP chief Vijay Sampla, said this 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 delegation members told the Governor that they were approaching him because 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.
Mr Badal also urged the Governor to direct the Congress government to requisition para-military forces to conduct the forthcoming elections to municipal bodies. He said there was 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 added.
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The delegation members[/caption]
The delegation members including mps Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Balwinder Singh Bhundur and Prem Singh Chandumajra, also 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. They said due action should be taken against officials who had behaved as Congress agents from the day the election process for the municipal elections started.
Meanwhile 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. It said the manner in which Mr Sunil Jakhar had issued statements on police functioning made it amply clear that the police was not working in an independent manner. They urged the Governor to convey to the State government clearly that its political leaders could not usurp the powers of the police force .The delegation members included Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Sikander Singh Maluka, Sharanjit Dhillon, Dr Daljit Cheema, Madan Mohan Mittal and Harjit Grewal
