Punjab: Clashes on the last day of filing nominations

Punjab: Incidents of firing were reported in Naushera Pannuan of Tarn Taran, Talwandi Bhai of Ferozepur and Landheke village of Moga on Friday, the last day of filing of nomination papers for panchayat elections. Stone-pelting was reported in Zira. Other incidents included verbal duels and scuffles over rejection of nomination papers of candidates belonging to opposition parties and other reasons. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called it a black day for democracy. He alleged that the ruling party had hired gangsters to threaten Congress-backed candidates. He said not a single Congress worker could file nomination papers in Patti and Khemkaran blocks. However, the ruling AAP rejected the charge, saying these elections were apolitical and filing of nominations remained peaceful. Four people were seriously injured in a firing incident in Bhikhiwind.

Four people were injured in a scuffle in Tarn Taran. Long queues of aspiring candidates were seen outside DDPO offices across the state. The opposition alleged that AAP-backed candidates were allowed backdoor entry into DDPO offices while Congress and SAD-backed candidates had to wait for long hours. As a result, there were reports of scuffles in Khemkaran, Bhikhiwind, Nowshera Pannuan, Valtoha and Patti. The AAP, however, denied the charge. After complaints came in, including one lodged by SAD leader Daljit Cheema, about opposition candidates standing in long queues, state election commissioner Raj Kamal Choudhary told The Tribune that he has directed deputy commissioners to accept papers of all candidates standing in queue before the 3 pm deadline. The opposition also accused the DDPOs of not accepting papers of candidates in the absence of no objection certificates or dues from panchayats.
The SEC said it had already asked officials to seek affidavits from candidates that they have no dues to panchayats and accept the papers. “If the affidavits are found to be false, action may be taken against such candidates later,” Choudhary said. He said observers have been sent to all districts to ensure free and fair elections. There are a total of 13,237 sarpanch and 83,437 panch posts. The elections will be held on October 15. Speaking to the Tribune, rural development and panchayat minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “This was the most peaceful process of filing nomination papers in the history of Punjab. Unlike our opponents, who misused power when in power, our government has given clear instructions to conduct free and fair elections without any political interference.” He claimed, “The panchayat elections are not being fought on party symbols. But candidates supporting our ideology of development and progress will win. This has scared the opposition.”