Block Samiti and Zila Parishad polls: Tension in Bhikhiwind as Akali Dal claims AAP workers tore nomination papers
PTC Web Desk: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday staged a protest at Bhikhiwind Chowk, Tarn Taran, against the alleged tearing of nomination papers of Akali Dal candidates by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers. The protest was organised in response to what the Shiromani Akali Dal described as deliberate attempts to prevent its candidates from contesting the upcoming Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections.
Leading the protest, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the AAP government of indulging in “sheer hooliganism.” He said the Akali Dal would stand firmly with its workers to safeguard democratic values and would continue to fight such actions fearlessly. “We will not allow this corrupt and failed government to murder democracy at any cost,” Sukhbir Singh Badal said.
During the protest, the SAD president called the State Election Commission and reportedly informed officials that the party had video evidence showing AAP leaders, allegedly with the help of the police, tearing nomination papers of Akali Dal candidates. Following this, the SSP reached the protest site and assured that all nomination papers of Akali candidates would be accepted on Wednesday, after which the party lifted the protest.
Sukhbir Singh Badal further urged party leaders across Punjab to file their nominations without fear. He appealed that if they were obstructed, they should register peaceful democratic protests. He also cautioned civil officials not to act with bias while scrutinising nomination papers, warning that they would be held accountable under the law for any wrongdoing.
Addressing party workers in Patti later in the day, he reiterated that AAP was resorting to intimidation tactics in the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections because it feared an electoral defeat.
Responding to media queries, Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s trip to Japan, remarking that it was surprising for the CM to undertake such a foreign visit with only one year left in his term. Referring to past events, he said last time comedian Kapil Sharma was invited to the “Invest Punjab” programme, which turned out to be a failure. He also reminded the CM to maintain the dignity of his office, recalling an incident where he was allegedly de-boarded from a flight in an intoxicated state.
- PTC NEWS
