Phagwara bypoll: Timely action by cops prevents clash

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, October 20

Tension prevailed in Onkar Nagar here just 18 hours before the polling in Phagwara when allegations and counter-allegations were levelled by workers of the Congress and the BJP parties against one other that money and liquor were being distributed among voters by party workers in Onkar Nagar locality here on Sunday.

Timely action by police personnel, headed by SP Manpreet Dhillon, who rushed to the spot prevented a violent clash or scuffle between workers of both parties. Congress leaders like Sanjeev Bugga and Naresh Bhardwaj alleged that BJP workers openly distributed liquor among voters in Onkar Nagar. Moreover, Union Home Minister Som Parkash was campaigning in Onkar Nagar, which is an open violation of the code of conduct.

They said they had submitted complaints to the ECI and the State Election Commission against the minister for openly violating the rules. On the other hand, the minister denied the charges and said he only went to the trouble site when BJP workers called and informed him about the distribution of liquor in the same locality.

The minister said he had informed the poll observer, the Election Commission and SSP Satinder Singh about excessive attitude of Congress men. However, SP Dhillon said the police rushed to the site and succeeded in preventing an untoward incident. The SSP appealed to all the politicians to follow poll rules strictly for a free, fair and transparent polling tomorrow. The SSP, however, said no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.