SAD stages protest
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, along with the candidates whose nomination papers were rejected for the panchayat poll, today protested outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
They raised slogans against the government and the district MLAs, alleging harassment and bullying of candidates in the filing of nomination papers. The leaders blocked the road and staged a dharna. They alleged bias and “complete murder of the democratic process” by the government officers in connivance with the ruling party MLAs.
Senior SAD leaders Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, Amit Singh Rathi and former mayor Amrinder Singh Bazaz said many candidates and their supporters were asked to leave the BDPO office premises when they raised the issue of denying NOCs and Chulha Tax receipts.
“AAP exerted influence to meddle in the panchayat elections and such bullying would not be tolerated,” said Raju Khanna.
“The SAD stands with its party workers and leaders, who have been allegedly prevented from filing their nomination papers for the panchayat poll. We have written to the Election Commission and the party has constituted a legal team to file necessary petitions in the Punjab and Haryana high Court,” said Rathi.