Day after rejection of papers, AAP rivals block highway

Activists of the Congress, SAD and BJP today blocked the Fazilka-Delhi national highway at Malout town for over an hour in protest against the state government, alleging that the nominations of their respective candidates for the bypoll of ward No. 12 were rejected at the behest of AAP leadership.

The nomination of AAP candidate Jasdev Singh Sandhu was accepted, who subsequently became the winner.

SAD leader and former MLA of Malout Harpreet Singh Kotbhai said the democracy was murdered yesterday as the nominations of the candidates of AAP’s rival parties were rejected for not submitting proper fee. “The SDM himself was not aware till yesterday about the fee required to be submitted by the candidates. How can he reject the nominations in such a situation? We will now move a petition in the High Court,” said Harpreet.

Congress leader and former MLA Rupinder Kaur Ruby said the party was ready to take legal remedy.

The road blockade was lifted after a DSP met the protesters.15