Supporters spar as Grewal, Bains file papers

Ludhiana: The supporters of Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party and Lok Insaaf Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party played a slanging match as their candidates filed their nomination papers at the mini secretariat on Friday.
With the nomination filing time of SAD-BJP candidate Maheshinder Singh Grewal and PDA candidate Simarjit Singh Bains coinciding, the venue witnessed surging crowds. Slogans in favour of their candidates gave way to war of words as the two groups entered into a scrap. Cops deputed at the spot had to intervene to bring the situation under control.
Bains had arrived along with a few supporters, who were joined by BSP leaders. When Bains entered the DC office to file his papers, Grewal — along with his supporters — reached the mini secretariat. The police allowed only a few supporters of both the alliances to enter the venue.
SAD-BJP and LIP supporters, who were standing outside, started raising slogans in favour of their candidates.
A comment against SAD leaders, especially former cabinet minister Bikram Majithia, enraged Akali Dal supporters and a spat ensued. Police rushed to the spot and mollified the two groups.
Youth Akali Dal (YAD) leader Gurdeep Gosha alleged that Bains had links with drug traffickers. Refuting the allegations, Bains said everyone knew who was behind the drug supply in the state. Later, Istri Akali Dal members alleged that LIP workers misbehaved with them, a charge that the latter rebutted.
SAD district president Ranjit Dhillon said, “The workers were full of enthusiasm. And in their enthusiasm, they exchanged heated arguments. It was a minor incident.”
Condemning the LIP and BSP workers, BJP leader Gurdev Sharma Debi said they made derogatory comments against the PM.
Congress candidate Ravneet Bittu said the scuffle showed these leaders were not serious about maintaining peace and harmony during elections.