Panchayat poll: Sidhu, Kulwant trade barbs
A day after the panchayat poll concluded peacefully in Mohali, Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu and AAP MLA from Mohali, Kulwant Singh, were locked in a war of words, accusing each other of rigging the poll.
Congress leader Balbir Singh who refrained from naming Kulwant Singh in his press interactions said the MLA, police and election officials colluded to rig the poll in several villages. Sidhu even sat on a dharna on the National Highway near Balongi.
Hours later, the AAP leader retorted by saying that Sidhu, who is “known for rigging polls” while in power, has no right to blame others. “It is Sidhu’s frustration of losing the poll. He is out now spoiling the harmonious atmosphere in the villages,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sidhu asked the State Election Commission to order re-poll in various wards in the Mohali block. Sidhu alleged irregularities in the panchayat election in Barmajara Colony, Jujhar Nagar, Raipur and Balongi Colony. Candidates of the opposition party in these villages were declared defeated after rigging, he alleged. “Before the counting began, the election staff got the papers signed by all candidates and pushed the opposition nominees out of counting centres. The Congress candidates were declared defeated in Barmajara Colony, Jujhar Nagar and Raipur by 50, 40 and 34 votes, respectively. When we demanded a re-count, the polling staff ran away with the ballot papers,” Sidhu said.
He alleged that people protesting against the “irregularities” were threatened and abused by the police. Sidhu said they will give a memorandum to the State Election Commission demanding re-polling in these villages.
11 panchayats elected unanimously: Mohali MLA
Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh said elections were held in 70 out of 73 villages in Mohali block. Of these, 11 panchayats have been elected unanimously. “Sarpanches have been elected unanimously in four villages. 191 panches have been elected unanimously out of 471. It has perhaps happened for the first time and a proof that the entire process was conducted fairly,” he said.
