Ashray alleges booth capturing in Seraj

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 21

Congress nominee from Mandi Ashray Sharma has accused BJP workers of capturing booths at Seraj in Mandi during the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 19.

He alleged that while Seraj witnessed voter turnout of 81 per cent, it was quite low at other places.

The Congress leader alleged that BJP workers ferried voters to their respective polling stations, which was unethical as per the guidelines of the Election Commission.

He alleged that IPH Minister Mahender Singh had assured people of extending benefits to them in new schemes if they voted in favour of the BJP candidate.

He also accused the state government of misusing its power during the elections. “The role of the Election Commission is also under scanner. Agents of the Congress were not allowed inside polling booths to monitor the situation as their signatures sent to stations did not match,” he alleged.

Ashray also raised question over the deployment of only Home Guard jawans in the Seraj segments. He said in all other segments, paramilitary forces were deployed.

“Polling in Mandi went on till 8 pm. However, the media came out with the exit poll results at 6 pm. It is also the violation of the EC guidelines. I will file a complaint on these issues,” said Ashray.

Ashray Sharma was accompanied by All-India Congress Committee observer for Mandi Rajiv Gambhir, former MLA Sohan Lal Thakur, local leader Chet Ram and Sanjiv Gularia.