Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll: AAP misusing official machinery, allege BJP, SAD (A)

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 21

Opposition parties today accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of misusing official machinery and pressurising people to vote for the party in the Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll. The BJP and SAD (Amritsar) have sent their complaints to the Election Commission (EC).

Charge Baseless

Since Opposition parties are losing the election, they are levelling baseless allegations against us. — Avtar Ealwal, AAP Leader

Taking action: RO

Returning Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Sangrur Jitendra Jorwal said they had been taking quick action in all complaints of poll code violations. TNS

“Since AAP candidate might lose the election, the AAP government has been misusing official machinery. We have sent our complaint to the EC for quick action. We are confident that our party candidate Kewal Singh Dhillon will win as we have been getting good response from rural and urban voters,” said Ashwani Sharma, president, Punjab BJP. SAD (Amritsar) legal adviser Simranjit Singh alleged that the party had received many complaints that senior government officers had threatened people to vote for the AAP candidate.

“Officers of various departments are pressurising their juniors to vote for the AAP. They threatened them with transfer if they do not vote for the AAP. Similarly, sarpanches are getting threats from officers to be ready to face inquiries if they fail to ensure votes for the AAP candidate. We have written to the EC, seeking strict action,” he said.

SAD spokesman Winnerjit Singh Goldy alleged that AAP leaders were violating election norms openly, but no action had been taken.

Countering the allegations, AAP leader Avtar Ealwal said, “Since Opposition parties are losing election, they are levelling baseless allegations against us.”

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