BJP leaders write to EC, seek repoll

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17

Alleging violence, rigging, booth-capturing and intimidation of Akali-BJP candidates and workers, the state BJP today demanded a repoll in Patiala, Ghagga and some wards of Mullanpur Dakha and Jalandhar.

Party’s state vice-president Anil Sarin and secretary Vineet Joshi handed over a complaint to State Election Commissioner Jagpal Singh Sandhu, alleging that the police were in cahoots with the Congress.

They complained that the police in Patiala intimidated Akali-BJP candidates, thrashed their polling agents and shooed away voters. The party also expressed anguish over the “absence” of poll observers. Even video cameras were turned off, they said.

In Ghagga, the BJP said, Congress workers captured all booths. Similarly in Mullanpur, all booths of Ward No. 5 were captured, they alleged.

Demanding a repoll, the BJP leaders said the central forces and election observers from other states be deployed for the same. The BJP also sought action against the “erring” police and administrative officials.