Cong candidate given money: Sidhu

Our Correspondent

Mohali, February 14

The Congress today alleged that Janta Land Promoters Private Limited (JLPL) had paid Rs 4 lakh to one of its candidates in the Municipal Corporation elections in order to withdraw his candidature.

Congress MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu told mediapersons here that the party had fielded Rajinder Singh from Ward No 49.

He alleged that earlier, efforts were made to get the nomination papers of Rajinder rejected. When that move failed, Rs 4 lakh in cash was allegedly given to Rajinder on the night of February 12. The cash was returned today.

Sidhu gave copies of a voucher to mediapersons, which he claimed was issued by the JLPL, showing the payment. He demanded that Kulwant Singh, who was contesting from the same ward as Rajinder Singh, should be disqualified from contesting the poll.

Kulwant Singh, managing director of the JLPL, told The Tribune that the Congress MLA was merely trying to defame him. He denied that Rs 4 lakh was given to Rajinder for withdrawing his candidature from the elections.

He alleged that the MLA must have got a fake document prepared showing the payment of Rs 4 lakh to “malign my image or must have connived with a JLPL employee to get a document of that sort.”

He was not aware who had paid the money, if any, and to whom the amount was returned. He said the MLA was trying to level allegations out of fear of losing the civic body elections.

Kulwant said he would try to find out more about the alleged voucher which he had now come to know had no signature on it.

Kulwant added said he would file a defamation case against Sidhu.