‘Kidnapping’ allegations fly in Karnal MC election

A dramatic and high-voltage political drama unfolded at Panchayat Bhawan here today over the withdrawal of nomination papers of Congress councillor candidate Jaspal Goldy in Ward No. 12 of Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC). Both BJP and Congress leaders accused each other of ‘kidnapping’ Goldy.

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Congress leaders alleged that Goldy was ‘kidnapped’ by BJP leaders to forcefully withdraw his nomination papers. In contrast, BJP leaders accused Congress leaders of ‘kidnapping’ Goldy to prevent him from withdrawing his nomination papers.

Jaspal Goldy clarified that he and BJP candidate Monik Garg were the two candidates in this ward. He went to Panchayat Bhawan after residents approached him and Garg to decide who would withdraw from the race. Goldy alleged that some BJP supporters surrounded him and started manhandling him when he reached there with Garg to finalise the decision.

Meanwhile, Congress mayoral candidate Manoj Wadhwa, accompanied by Divyanshu Budhiraja, Dr Sunil Panwar, Nischay Sohi, and others, arrived and spoke with Goldy. After their conversation, Goldy declared he would not withdraw his nomination and accused BJP leaders of mentally harassing him.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Garg maintained that Goldy initially agreed to withdraw his nomination as part of a panchayat decision. Garg alleged that Congress leaders led by Manoj Wadhwa intervened and took Goldy away when they went to withdraw his nomination papers.

Congress leaders refuted these claims, stating that Goldy informed them he was being pressured to withdraw. Budhiraja alleged that BJP leaders surrounded Goldy’s car when they were taking him back to the party office and demanded action against BJP leaders for intimidation.

Wadhwa condemned the incident, saying, “If they want to make their councillors ‘unopposed’, what is the need for election? We demand action in this case.”