Cong alleges irregularities in polls, Akalis rubbish charge

Friday, 28/06/2013

http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=73416&boxid=57670&uid=&dat=2013-06-28

Chandigarh : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) strongly condemned the statement issued by Congress leadership alleging gross irregularity in panchayat polls and described it as highly undemocratic, baseless and indicative of intellectual bankruptcy of the Congress party.

The Congress represented by MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, party spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira and former Planning Board Deputy Chairman R R Bhardwaj had submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission, on Thursday, in which they alleged the SAD leadership of forcing people to take religious pledge for political support.

They also demanded registration of case against the ex-Minister Sucha Singh Langah for ‘indulging’ in corrupt practice and ‘violation’ of model code of conduct.

The Congressmen referring to some news item in a newspaper, alleged the Akalis of turning panchayat polls as sectarian by violating the basic fabric of secularism as they have forced the gram panchayat voters to take “loyalty pledge” in the gurdwaras to vote for a particular party and its candidates.

While mentioning the content, they said one such pledge, written on June 18, reads, “We the residents of Muhal Nangal village have chosen Gurmeet Singh as our candidate for sarpanch. Keeping the almighty as witness, we pledge to remain loyal to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) whether we lose or win the panchayat polls.”

The Congressmen also tendered a CD with the SEC office stating that a video taken on a mobile phone showed Langah telling partymen in villages that villages which show unity and elect the candidate unanimously would be bestowed higher grants on priority basis.

However, in reaction to the accusation, SAD Secretary and Spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said that the remarks of the Congress party were highly deplorable, provocative and aimed at labelling all the contestants for the PRIs as greedy and corrupt.

The SAD counter demanded an unconditional apology from Congress for such insulting remarks against the contesting candidates, and immediate withdrawal of the statement. Referring to the pledge taken by the residents of Muhal Nangal village on June 18, Cheema asked Congress to clarify that what was wrong in that pledge, saying that after choosing Gurmeet Singh as their unanimous candidate for sarpanch, the voters of different religions signed a pledge to remain committed to their party.

The SAD leader also reminded the Congress that the model code of conduct for the panchayat elections was enforced wef June 19, 2013, and mentioned that there was no illegality in signing such a pledge a day before the imposition of code of conduct.

Cheema maintained that he had actually acted in a way in which every political leader should do to encourage maximum number of unanimous elections, which are favourable for the peace and accelerated development of the villages.