Amritsar: The opposition parties in Amritsar have blamed the ruling Congress leadership in Punjab for allegedly using its influence to tamper with voters' list to strengthen its candidates in various wards of the municipal corporation for civic body elections on Sunday.
Talking to TOI on Thursday, Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) disciplinary committee chairman Inderbir Singh Nijjar alleged, "There was very little time to prepare voters' lists. There is total confusion and anarchy. The lists were yet to be finalized."
He alleged that massive reshuffling of voters between wards was being done allegedly at the behest of the Congress leaders. Voters considered to be AAP's supporters in a particular ward were being shifted to other wards to strengthen opposition's candidate, he alleged.
The BJP's Amritsar district president Rajesh Honey alleged that as many as 500 voters earlier registered under ward number 30 on November 28, were missing from the list now. "This is just one example, there are many like this," he said. Honey also alleged use of police for intimidating the candidates of his party.
BJP candidate Ranjit Singh Goldy, contesting from ward number 30, said, "Nobody gives a satisfactory reply when asked why voters have been shifted to other wards." Many streets which, till recently, were in his ward were now being shown as part of other wards, he alleged. "The elections are being held without any preparation," he added.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Amritsar district president Gurpartap Singh Tikka alleged that the Congress leaders were forcing bureaucrats to prepare lists of their choice. He said the party had approached the officers concerned with their concerns.
Meanwhile, Amritsar district Congress committee president Jugal Kishore denied the allegations. He said, "Opposition parties have clearly foreseen their defeat and are making grounds to seek excuses from their supporters." He rubbished allegations that voters were being shifted from one to another ward for taking benefits in the elections. "No one can influence bureaucracy. I believe all the candidates have got the voters' lists by now," said Jugal.
