SAD, BJP URGE GOVERNOR TO ORDER PROBE INTO ‘NEXUS FAVOURING CONGRESS’ IN MC POLLS

CHANDIGARH:A joint delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday demanded from Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore a judicial inquiry to investigate the “nexus” of politicians, administrative officers and election observers who, they said, are out to “throttle” democracy in the civic polls “at the behest of ruling Congress”.

The delegation led by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and state BJP chief Vijay Sampla said this

“nexus” conspired to harass SAD-BJP candidates during the election process by “denying no-objection certificates and refusing to accept the nomination papers”.

The delegation members told the governor that they were approaching him because representations to the state election commission did not bear fruit and elections were not countermanded at four places that witnessed widespread violence and a shooting incident at the time of nominations.

Sukhbir also urged the governor to direct the Congress government to deploy paramilitary forces for smooth conduct of municipal polls scheduled for December 17. “An atmosphere of fear has been created in the minds of people and there is likelihood of massscale rigging and violence against SAD-BJP workers. In such a situation, only paramilitary forces can ensure conduct of fair elections.”

The delegation included MPS Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Prem Singh Chandumajra. BJP’S Harjit Grewal was there re too.