AAP, SAD face off over block samiti polls; AAP gets control of Maur, Rampura; Phul election deferred

Tension prevailed on Wednesday during the elections to the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Maur, Rampura and Phul block samitis in Bathinda district, as activists of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) came face to face amid tight police deployment.

Amid protests, AAP secured control of the Maur and Rampura block samitis. The election to the Phul block samiti, however, was deferred.

Sources said that AAP’s Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana was also allegedly stopped by SAD workers while he was heading to the BDPO office in Rampura village, triggering a heated exchange between supporters of both parties.

Block samiti members of the SAD alleged that they were prevented from entering the venue to participate in the election. Despite reaching on time, they claimed the police stopped them at the gate.

The area around the BDPO office was heavily barricaded, with all entry routes sealed and a large police force deployed.

In the Rampura block samiti, of the total 18 members, the Akalis had a majority with 10 members, while AAP had seven and one was an Independent. However, AAP managed to secure the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson.

In Maur, out of 15 elected members, only six, who owed allegiance to the ruling AAP, participated in the voting. The SAD has six members, while the Congress has two and one is an Independent. SAD leaders alleged that they were not allowed to enter, terming it a “murder of democracy” and accusing the AAP of bias.

However, Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana dismissed the allegations, claiming the opposition lacked a majority and failed to reach on time.

Former minister and SAD leader Janmeja Singh Sekhon said the party would move the court seeking cancellation of the election. Both Rampura and Maur fall in the Maur Assembly segment.

Meanwhile, former minister and senior SAD leader Sikander Singh Maluka lodged a symbolic protest by sitting on the floor in the office of the BDPO Phul, and criticised the conduct of the election for the posts of office-bearers of the Phul block samiti, accusing the government of using force to install its candidates.

Maluka claimed that in the 18-member Phul block samiti, the SAD had 10 members, compared to AAP’s five, the Congress’s two and one Independent. Despite this, he alleged, SAD members were prevented from participating in the election at the behest of Rampura Phul MLA Balkar Singh Sidhu. Later, the election for the Phul block samiti was deferred.

Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman said that of the total eight block samitis in the district, elections for the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson in Phul and Talwandi Sabo blocks are pending.