Congress candidate Raja Warring accused of trying to bribe AAP activist

CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA: Congress candidate from Bathinda parliamentary constituency Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was accused by Aam Aadmi Party activist, Tinku Punjabi, of trying to bribe him for joining the Congress On Friday. With Tinku waving currency notes before camera while levelling the allegations, SAD and Punjab Ekta Party approached the Election Commission on Saturday afternoon seeking action against Warring. The Congress leader has refuted the charges.
On Friday night, Warring, along with Mansa Congress president Manju Bala and another leader Ranjit Kaur Bhatti, visited Tinku’s house in Budhlada town of Mansa. The area falls in Bathinda parliamentary constituency from where Warring is contesting elections.
A video of the incident, being shared on social media widely, shows the Congress leaders arriving at the AAP activist’s house, where they are welcomed. Warring can be seen putting a Congress scarf around Tinku’s neck. Soon, Tinku sends his supporters and Congress workers outside. After few minutes, Tinku and Warring come out of the room. Soon, the AAP leaders goes in front of the mediapersons standing there with cameras and alleges that the Congress leader has given him Rs 50,000 to join his party. Warring can be seen leaving the house hurriedly as Tinku’s supporters raise slogans against him. In the video, Tinku takes out a bundle of some notes, claiming that he was not for sale. He shows the bundle around which reportedly had 25 notes of Rs 2,000 denomination.
Responding, the Congress leaders have accused Tinku of taking money out of his own pocket and making false allegations to defame.
Talking to TOI, Tinku said, “Raja Warring and other leaders had come to my residence. Congress leader Ranjit Kaur Bhatti gave me the money and Manju Bala asked me to treat it as gift from CM Capt Amarinder Singh. Warring asked me not to return the money, saying once I have come to your house, you should accept it.”
Manju refuted the charges and said, “Tinku had made persistent appeals inviting us. We have nothing to do with the money.”
Warring told TOI, “I didn’t know Tinku as I had never met him. Our local leaders told me to visit his home as was making appeals for it. At the home he made workers to go out of room. He then asked me to step out to announce that some industry will be set up in Budhlada town. We had no money. He pulled the money out from his pocket to defame us.”
When contacted, Budhlada SDM-cum-assistant returning officer Aditya Dachalwal said, “Both Tinku Punjabi and Congress candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring have been issued summons and asked to file their replies. Any action will be taken after getting the replies.”
SAD lodges complaint with CEO
Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) lodged a complaint with chief electoral officer (CEO) office demanding registration of FIR against Bathinda Congress candidate Amarinder Singh Raja Warring for trying to bribe voters. SAD urged the CEO to cancel the nomination of the Congress candidate.
Union minister and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal’s Harsimrat Kaur is the party candidate from Bathinda.
A SAD delegation, led by party senior vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema, submitted a formal representation to CEO S Karuna Raju “along with video evidence”. The SAD submitted that Warring had not only violated the model code of conduct but had also indulged in corrupt practices as per Section 123 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1950 and Representation of People’s Act, 1951.
The representation, which was filed after SAD received a video from its parliamentary affairs committee (PAC) member Nishan Singh, gave details of the alleged incident by providing the entire transcript.
Demanding prompt action in the case, Cheema said the open manner in which Warring was bribing voters called for immediate action. He also demanded that an FIR be registered against two other Congress leaders, who had tried to bribe voters along with Warring.
Meanwhile, PEP chief and Bathinda candidate Sukhpal Khaira also filed a complaint with EC, demanding action. Khaira said that it was highly objectionable.