SDO ‘campaigns’ for Akali candidate from Gidderbaha

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha, January 8

As per service rules, no government employee can take part in electioneering but in the ruling Badals’ home district Muktsar, Jaspal Singh, SDO, Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation Limited, Malout, took part in the election campaign of Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon, SAD candidate from Gidderbaha, in his native Babanian village on Friday. Jaspal is also the ‘numberdar’ of the village.

Even Dimpy Dhillon shared the SDO’s photograph while campaigning with him on his Facebook account, mentioning that they went “door to door (campaigning) in Babanian”.

Eyewitnesses said Jaspal was also present at a house where Dimpy addressed the gathering on Friday.

Jaspal refuted the allegations, saying, “I did not go to campaign in favour of any candidate. My wife is the sitting sarpanch of the village and she may have campaigned in favour of Dimpy.” Jaspal further said that he was a Junior Engineer (JE), having officiating charge of the SDO.

Anand Sagar Sharma, SDM-cum-Returning Officer, Gidderbaha, said, “We have received a complaint against Jaspal Singh for allegedly campaigning in favour of local SAD candidate. He has been issued a show-cause notice to reply within 24 hours, failing which departmental action will be initiated against him.” The complaint has been filed by an advocate, Tanvir Joshi, from Muktsar.