Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of turning the entire process for the recent Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections into a "farce." The allegations, made during a media interaction in Bathinda on Saturday, center on the systematic obstruction of opposition candidates from filing their nomination papers.
Police and Administration Used to Thwart Nominations
Badal asserted that the AAP government misused the police and civil administration to prevent candidates from opposition parties, particularly the SAD, from participating in the electoral process. He pointed to a viral conference call involving a police official as clear evidence of a coordinated strategy. According to the SAD chief, police personnel were instructed to detain opposition candidates either at their homes or while they were en route to the offices of returning officers to submit their nominations.
"This tactic was used as police detained opposition candidates at their homes or on the way to the government offices," Badal stated. He further alleged that similar illegal instructions were issued to deputy commissioners, directing them to reject the nomination papers of opposition candidates on flimsy grounds.
Widespread Unopposed Wins for AAP Candidates
The SAD president provided a detailed breakdown of the results, which he claims demonstrate the success of the AAP's alleged tactics. He highlighted that due to these actions, AAP candidates were declared elected unopposed in a significant number of seats.
In Tarn Taran district, AAP candidates were elected unopposed in 9 out of 20 Zila Parishad seats. The situation in Panchayat Samiti seats across various blocks was even more stark:
- Tarn Taran: 12 out of 17 seats
- Gandiwind: 15 out of 15 seats
- Patti: 13 out of 16 seats
- Bhikhiwind: 23 out of 23 seats
- Valtoha: 16 out of 18 seats
Badal added that the scenario in Gurdaspur district was no different, with AAP candidates securing several seats unopposed with the alleged help of the police and civil administration.
SAD Vows Legal Action to "Defend Democracy"
Concluding his remarks, Sukhbir Singh Badal declared that the Shiromani Akali Dal is determined to defend democratic principles. He announced that the party will pursue all legal avenues to hold accountable those responsible for what he termed "illegal and unconstitutional actions."
"The SAD is determined to defend democracy and will take legal recourse to ensure all police officers who murdered democracy in the ongoing elections are taken to task," he asserted. This sets the stage for a potential legal and political battle over the conduct of the local body elections in Punjab.
