In Gurdaspur, AAP faces farmers’ ire; hoardings, posters removed

gurdaspur, September 1

AAP leaders engaged in installing election hoardings and posters are faced with angry farm activists, who are removing the party’s billboards to “express displeasure against political parties for not backing them in their struggle against the farm laws.”

If the party is facing the wrath of farmers in villages, a similar story is being played out in urban areas. Here, AAP leaders have to square off against their political opponents, who are allegedly using official machinery to bring down hoardings.

In Gurdaspur, Baghel Singh Bahian, who has peppered the city with his party’s posters, found himself at the receiving end when a Municipal Committee (MC) tractor-trailer removed scores of hoardings.

MC employees relented after being confronted by Baghel’s men. Incidentally, the local MC is controlled by the Congress. MC Executive Officer Ashok Kumar said the AAP leader had violated guidelines of the MC’s advertising policy. However, Baghel contended that he had deposited the necessary fees and requisite documents with the civic body.

In Sri-Hargobindpur, AAP halqa in charge Amarpal Singh Kishenkot said farmers had been targeting his hoardings. “I belong to the farming community and support its cause. Our posters and banners should not be taken down,” he said. Sources said in Malwa this was an everyday occurrence but in Majha and Doaba it is a comparatively new phenomenon. — TNS