MAJITHA, Feb 5 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) does not lag behind the ruling SAD as far as violating the code of conduct is concerned. All parties are triggering communal passion by organising rallies on the premises of churches, gurdwaras and temples.

After the SAD, which held poll meetings at Chawinda Devi and other temples, it is the turn of the PPCC to hold rallies at gurdwaras and churches. Mr Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief, addressed several election rallies at the church and gurdwara in Christian-dominated Nag Khurd and Nag Kalan, near Majitha. The tone and tenor of the speeches was aimed at playing the “communal card”.

Addressing the rallies, Mr Amarinder Singh alleged that the ruling Akali Dal wanted to exploit the “communal sentiments” with a view to remaining in power. He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was exploiting the infamous Operation Bluestar to which “he himself was party”. He said if Mr Badal was not party to it, he would have allowed the issue to be tabled on the floor of the Assembly.

Slogans like “RSS murdabad”, “Capt Amarinder Singh zindabad” were also raised on the premises of the church.

Principal Kamal Bakshi, President of the Christian Front of Punjab, and staunch supporter of Mr Amarinder told TNS that at least 52 villages of the Majitha constituency were dominated by Christians which would be crucial for tilting the balance of the crucial byelection.

Money bags, drugs and liquor are being dumped in various parts of this constituency. The TNS team saw workers of both parties distributing money and liquor to workers for attracting crowds for the rallies.

The Rashtriya Raksha Dal is also organising rallies at religious places. Col J.S. Bal (retd), candidate of the Dal, said he was working for “communal harmony” by visiting gurdwaras, temples and churches.

“I had been a Commanding Officer in the Army and we used to celebrate all festivals. However, the SAD and the Congress are exploiting the sentiments of voters”, he said.