Aam Aadmi Party refutes Sukhbir’s intimidation claim

Refuting Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal’s claim of party leaders being intimidated in the Majitha constituency, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday accused him of misleading the public. Badal had made the claim at a rally held in connection with the Zila Parishad elections in the Kathunangal area.

Addressing a press conference, AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill challenged Badal, and Majitha MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia, to present evidence of any incident where Akali Dal candidates were threatened. Not a single nomination of SAD candidates for Zila Parishad and Block Samiti polls had been rejected, he claimed. Gill alleged that the Akali Dal was struggling to find strong and suitable candidates in several zones of Majitha, including Chamunda Devi, due to discord within the party.

He claimed that the SAD had forced SGPC employees into the electoral fray, threatening to expel them from their jobs. He said, in the Dhadde zone, SGPC employee Swaroop Singh was “pushed” to contest in the absence of a willing SAD candidate. In the Bhoma zone, Gill said, another SGPC staffer was being coerced under threat of disciplinary action.