Blatant violation of poll norms: Bajwa

Opposition parties, led by the state Leader of Opposition (LoP), Partap Singh Bajwa, today levelled serious allegations of ‘gundagardi’ and violations in the model code of conduct during the campaigning for the forthcoming civil elections.

Addressing mediapersons outside the office of the State Election Commission, Bajwa said, “Just like the recent panchayat elections, AAP, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was indulging in ‘gundagardi’ ahead of the municipal elections. Even the police were helping the government.”

“Leaders who claimed they belonged to a ‘party with a difference’ have been thoroughly exposed. Certain candidates who faced discrimination during the recent panchayat elections have approached the Supreme Court. At least 3,000 out of nearly 13,000 sarpanches were chosen unanimously which has been questioned,” he said.

Bajwa said, “Our candidates have been physically harassed in the municipal elections. We have submitted a complaint to the election office. The nomination papers of a majority of our candidates have been rejected. We are taking the issue up with the courts, including the Supreme Court.”

After the Opposition parties alleged harassment of their candidates, the State Election Commission received over 15 complaints from people contesting/desirous of contesting the urban civic polls. A majority of these are from Patiala. “We are examining the complaints in an unbiased manner,” State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri told The Tribune.