Punjab Congress lodges complaint with CEC against Badal

Chandigarh, Punjab Congress on Tuesday lodged a protest with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) urging him to restrain Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from “influencing” voters in Dhuri Assembly seat of the state that fell vacant following resignation of legislator Arvind Khanna.
In the complaint to CEC HS Brahma, state Congress spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged that keeping in view the imminent by-election for Dhuri seat, Badal had on Monday announced that he will organise ‘Sangat Darshan’ programmes in the constituency in two phases from January 21 to 24 and then from January 27 to 29.
“The Sangat Darshan programme of the Chief Minister is a completely politically-motivated exercise, to strengthen his party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at the cost of public exchequer,” he said in the complaint.
The copy of the complaint was sent to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh and also released to the media.
“In the garb of Sangat Darshan, the Chief Minister directs the entire district administration from the Deputy Commissioner to the ‘Patwari’ (revenue official), to be present on the occasion.
“The district administration is ordered to ensure the presence of all elected representatives of the area from Zila Parishad members to sarpanches, panches, councillors and the rank and file of the ruling party,” the Congress alleged.
Meanwhile, the resignation of Khanna, a sitting Congress MLA from Dhuri Vidhan Sabha constituency and also a close confidante of former chief minister Amarinder Singh, was accepted by Assembly speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal today, Vidhan Sabha officials said here. Khanna had resigned as MLA and from Congress on Sunday last.
As per rules, a by-election has to be held within six months of the acceptance of the incumbent’s resignation.
Congress further alleged that the programme was also being used to coerce members of other political parties into the fold of SAD.
“Now since by-election is likely to be held shortly, Badal has announced to hold his politically motivated programme in a premeditated manner, prior to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
“This is nothing but a clear cut methodology to influence voters in favour of his party, by doling out grants and other largesse to the constituency,” the party alleged.
The Congress also pleaded with the CEC to videograph Badal’s programme.
With PTI Inputs