BATHINDA: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress had a showdown at Gidderbaha town of Muktsar on Friday over rejection of nomination papers of two Akali candidates. After Jalalabad, where his vehicle was attacked, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal staged sit-in at Gidderbaha levelling charges against Congress’s local MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring of misusing the official machinery.
Sukhbir also “warned” the administrative and police officials to not to side with the ruling party or they will have to face the music when SAD gained power. Countering the allegations, Warring, held a small election rally and asked officials not fear “the hollow threats of SAD president and discharge their duty with honesty”. Warring dared Sukhbir to contest the assembly elections against him from Gidderbaha.
On Tuesday, Sukhbir was attacked at Jalalabad SDM office when he was accompanying a party candidate filing nomination papers for municipal council elections. Sukhbir had accused Jalalabad Congress MLA Raminder Awla and his son of orchestrating the attack.
On Friday, Sukhbir alleged: “Raja Warring has misused the official machinery to get the nomination papers of two Akali candidates rejected. The officials who are dancing to his tunes will have to face music once SAD comes to power. The officials should not side with ruling party but stay neutral.”
Warring retorted saying SAD chief had been misusing official machinery during its 10 years rule and thought the Congress would do the same but he must not level false allegations and threaten officials. As the Congress was winning the council elections, Akali Dal was shedding crocodile tears and finding excuses for its imminent defeat, he added.
The Akali Dal also held similar protest at Muktsar. Likewise, Aam Aadmi Party held protest at Sunam accusing the Congress of abducting one of its leaders. MLA Aman Arora spent the night outside Sunam SDM office.
Meanwhile, some protesters agitated during the election office inauguration of BJP candidate at Mansa’s ward number 6.