Now, AAP’s Dimpy Dhillon gets EC notice for poll code violation

The Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Gidderbaha, today issued a notice to AAP candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by using photos of PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal on his posters and crossing those with red ink. “We have issued a notice to Dimpy Dhillon, asking him to file a reply within 24 hours,” said Returning Officer Jaspal Singh Brar.

The election authorities have also started the process to remove those posters.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal and PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday replied to the notices issued to them a day before by claiming that they had done nothing wrong.

Notices were issued to Warring for allegedly campaigning in favour of his wife Amrita Warring in a mosque, and promising to give money to voters to lure them at some other location. Manpreet Badal was issued the notice for allegedly trying to lure voters by offering jobs to youngsters in the Central Government departments and state’s Transport Department.

The Returning Officer said, “Raja Warring has replied that he just visited the mosque at the time of ‘namaz’. The maulavi of the mosque has also given a statement that no political activity occurred there. To the other notice, Warring has replied that he did not promise to give money to voters to lure them, but the parties in Opposition had misinterpreted his statement. However, I have asked the Executive Officer of the Gidderbaha Municipal Council to give a report in that regard.”

“Manpreet Badal has replied that he did not offer jobs during his election campaign and that he had just offered to guide the job-seekers. Some other people have also given statements substantiating his claim,” he said.