Punjab Panchayat Poll: Clashes mar last day of nomination filing

Incidents of firing at Naushera Pannuan in Tarn Taran, Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur and Landheke village in Moga marked the last day of filing of nomination papers for the panchayat poll on Friday.

An incident of stone pelting was reported in Zira. Other incidents included verbal duels and scuffles over the rejection of nomination papers of candidates owing allegiance to the Opposition parties and other reasons.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring called it a “dark day for the democracy”. He alleged gangsters were hired by the ruling party to threaten candidates supported by the Congress. He said not a single Congress worker could file papers in Patti and Khemkaran blocks. The ruling AAP, however, rubbished the charge, saying these elections were apolitical and the filing of nominations was peaceful.

In a firing incident in Bhikhiwind, four persons were grievously injured. In Tarn Taran, four persons sustained injuries in a scuffle. Serpentine queues of aspiring candidates were seen outside the offices of DDPOs across the state. The Opposition alleged candidates supported by AAP were allowed backdoor entry into the DDPO offices, while those supported by the Congress and SAD were made to wait for long hours. As a result, scuffles were reported at Khemkaran, Bhikhiwind, Naushera Pannuan, Valtoha and Patti. AAP, however, denied the allegation.

As complaints, including the one filed by SAD leader Daljit Cheema, regarding Opposition candidates standing in long queues poured in, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary told The Tribune that he directed the deputy commissioners to accept papers of all candidates who were in the queue before the 3 pm deadline.

The Opposition also accused the DDPOs of not accepting papers of candidates for want of no objection or no dues certificate from the panchayat. The SEC said he had already told officials to seek affidavits from candidates that they did not owe any dues to panchayats and accept the papers.

“In case, the affidavits are found to be false, action can be later taken against such candidates,” said Chaudhary, adding observers had been sent to all districts to ensure a free and fair poll. There are a total of 13,237 posts of sarpanch and 83,437 of panch. The elections will be held on October 15.

Talking to The Tribune, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “This was the most peaceful process for filing of nomination papers in the history of Punjab. Unlike our opponents, who misused power when they were in power, our government has given clear instructions for holding free and fair elections without any political interference.”

“The panchayat elections are not being fought on party symbols. But candidates who support our ideology of growth and development will win. This is scaring the Opposition,” he claimed.

Over 13K sarpanches to be elected

• 774 nominations filed for posts of sarpanch and 2,297 for panch in 175 villages of Barnala
• For 176 villages of Malerkotla, 649 filed papers for sarpanch and 2,233 for panch
• For Mansa’s 245 villages, 1,125 nominations received for sarpanch and 3,466 for panch
• There are a total of 13,237 posts of sarpanch and 83,437 of panch
• The elections are scheduled to be held on October 15, with 1.33 crore voters expected to cast vote at 19,110 polling stations