Punjab Poll 2022: CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhbir Badal, Kejriwal, Moosewala booked for code violations

Mansa/Mohali, February 19

An FIR has been registered against Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Congress candidate Shubhdeep Singh, alias Sidhu Moosewala, for alleged violation of the code of conduct in Mansa on Friday, the last day of the campaigning.

CM Channi reportedly engaged in door-to-door campaigning for the Punjabi singer after the 6 pm deadline on Friday. Following a complaint by AAP candidate Vijay Singla, a flying squad conducted a spot verification and found CM Channi campaigning in Mansa despite being a resident of another constituency. Moosewala was also found campaigning with 400 supporters beyond the permissible limit. A case has been lodged at the Mansa City-1 police station. In Bathinda, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar said: “A notice was issued by the returning officer to Congress’ Bathinda (Urban) candidate Manpreet Singh Badal for allegedly organising a roadshow without prior permission.”

SAD president Sukhbir Badal and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal were booked at the Phase-I police station in Mohali. Sukhbir allegedly made a “vote appeal” and “misguided” the voters. The violation reportedly occurred during the silent period (after 6 pm on February 18). The complaint by the AAP legal cell sought removal of the said video from social media.

The case against Kejriwal came on the complaint of a SAD spokesperson that Kejriwal and his party violated the poll code by making false allegations against the SAD and other political parties.

Meanwhile, EC officials on Friday night seized sewing machines, masks and other material from the Sector 78 residence of Amarjit Singh Sidhu in Mohali. He is the younger brother of Congress candidate Balbir Singh Sidhu. ADC (General) Komal Mittal said, “A case has been registered and the police are investigating whether the seized material relates to the elections or not.”