Congress MLA seeks action against police for ‘harassment’ of councillors
Ahead of the oath ceremony and Mayoral elections for the newly-elected Phagwara Municipal Corporation (MC) councillors, Congress MLA Balwinder Dhaliwal has urged the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to intervene and stop the alleged harassment of Congress councillors by local police.
In a letter addressed to SSP Kapurthala Gaurav Toora, Dhaliwal claimed that the police were calling Congress councillors to the station at odd hours and creating a panicky atmosphere by harassing their family members, including women and children.
He requested that the SSP instruct the police to provide copies of any complaints to the two lawyers from the Congress Legal Cell, Karanjot Singh Jhikka and Harjinder Kaul. Copies of the letter have also been sent to Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar, Director of Local Bodies Department Punjab, and the Commissioner of Phagwara Municipal Corporation, Navneet Kaur Bal, for necessary action.
The Congress, with 22 of its own councillors, is reportedly in a strong position to secure the majority, backed by the support of three BSP councillors and two Independents, bringing their total to 29. This gives the party the advantage in electing their Mayor. However, Congress leaders have raised concerns that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is attempting to use pressure tactics on Congress councillors to gain their support.
The AAP, which has 12 elected councillors, is seeking the backing of three Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillors, four BJP councillors, and two Independents. Even with this support, AAP still falls short by five councillors.
MLA Dhaliwal has called on the AAP leadership to bring their councillors together publicly, asking them to stop using “dirty politics.” Meanwhile, BJP leaders have stated that they will not align with AAP, while SAD Halka Incharge Ranjit Singh Khurana indicated that his party could form alliances with any political group to prevent Congress from taking control of the MC.
In a related development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, acting on a petition filed by Congress councillor Bikram Singh, has directed the civil and police administration to ensure a free and fair Mayoral election in Phagwara.
The court has ordered SSP Gaurav Toora to make adequate security arrangements for the councillors during the election, scheduled for tomorrow at 4 PM. Additionally, the civil administration, including Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar, has been instructed to ensure that the election process remains transparent and unbiased.
