Congress chief raises issue with Ludhiana DC

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and MP from Ludhiana, held a meeting with the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, Jitendra Jorwal, to address serious concerns over the delay in issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) to aspiring candidates for the upcoming panchayat elections in the state.

Warring raised the issue that while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-backed candidates were being given clearances on time, Independent and non-AAP-aligned candidates were being deliberately delayed, giving AAP an unfair advantage in the entire electoral process.

The PPCC chief also criticised AAP’s manipulation of the election process, citing a recent move in the Vidhan Sabha where it was mandated that no candidate could campaign using an election symbol. “It is because they know that any candidate with the AAP symbol will lose miserably in the state. Now, rumours are swirling that a performa is being prepared, where victorious sarpanches will be asked which political party they align with. It is to weed out non-AAP supporters and pressure them to join hands with AAP to inflate their victory claims. Such level of political dishonesty is shameful, and we will not stand for it.”

Warring emphasised that the Congress was committed to a free and fair election and announced the creation of a helpline by the PPCC. “We have launched a helpline for anyone — whether they are linked with the Congress or not — who is facing trouble with documentation for the upcoming panchayat elections. The local district-level Congress leadership will provide assistance, ensuring that no one is blocked from participating in the democratic process.”

He added that there was a dire need for the rejuvenation of the Buddha Nullah, a critical issue that affects Ludhiana and its residents. “This is not just a political issue but a matter of public health now,” he said.

Speaking about the resignation of Sunil Jakhar from the BJP, Warring said it was his own wish to resign and whenever the party needs him, he leaves it. When the Congress needed him the most, he left the party and the BJP gave him an important place and now, again, he has tendered his resignation.“I do not know, to which way Jakhar will be going. I tweeted yesterday, asking him: “Now which way you are going,” he said.