SAD protests ‘rigging’, demands re-poll

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 20

SAD workers led by former Akali minister Sikander Singh Maluka on Thursday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here seeking re-poll at places where they claimed that the Congressmen had resorted to booth-capturing and legal action against those involved in it.

A delegation of Akali leaders led by the former minister submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Praneet and SSP Dr Nanak Singh in this regard.

Later, addressing the protesters, Maluka alleged that the ruling party initially intended to get the nominations of the Akali candidates rejected, but they ensured that the papers of all their candidates were in order.

He alleged that the Congress subsequently resorted to booth-capturing while giving an open call for the same in villages around Kangar, the native village of Power Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar.

He alleged that the ruling party workers captured polling booths at Kangar, Salabatpura, Bhai Rupa and Dullewala villages where they also damaged vehicles of Akali workers and indulged in firing.

Maluka alleged that the police didn’t extend any help to ensure free and fair polls.

He claimed that their party had already aired its apprehensions in this regard by writing letters to the Election Commission and the poll observers.

The former minister accused the Congress of virtually hijacking the entire poll process, as “it knew the ground was slipping and was scared of defeat”.

Lashing out at the Congress, Maluka said, “On the one hand, they have gone all out to defame the Akali Dal, claiming that the people will not let us enter their villages in view of the sacrilege cases, and on the other, they are capturing polling booths to win the elections. I wonder why they are doing it when they claim that the people are fed up with SAD and the Congress is gaining popularity in the state.”

He accused the Power Minister and his aides of resorting to booth-capturing in his Assembly segment. Incidentally, the minister has already rejected Maluka’s allegations.

Maluka said the Congress must realise that the people were in fact disillusioned with them in just one and a half years of their tenure.

He alleged that almost all sections of society, including farmers, unemployed youth and government employees, are bearing the brunt of the Congress’ anti-people policies.

Maluka said the development works had come to a grinding halt with the state government not releasing any funds to the local bodies.

The poor are being deprived of benefits under pension and atta-dal schemes, he added.

Maluka said the Akali Dal would decide its future strategy in the party’s core committee meeting that is scheduled for September 30.

Allegations of booth-capturing

• Maluka alleged that the ruling party initially intended to get the nominations of the Akali candidates rejected, but they made sure that the papers of all their candidates were in order. 
• He alleged that the Congress subsequently resorted to booth- capturing while giving an open call for the same in villages around Kangar, the native village of Power Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar.