‘Is it a ploy by Captain to benefit Akalis?’

JALANDHAR/SHAHKOT/AMRITSAR: After police registered a case of illegal sand mining against Congress’ Shahkot assembly bypoll candidate Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, opposition parties Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have demanded that the ruling party cancel his candidature.

AAP’S Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who is leader of opposition in the assembly, said there are “serious allegations” against Ladi “for his involvement in illegal sand mining and demanding goonda tax from mining mafia”. This, he said, gives the message that illegal mining is still rampant in the Congress regime. “Captain Amarinder Singh (chief minister) knew about a video that went viral on social media in which Ladi is seen demanding a share from sand mining contractors,” Khaira said. “I know Captain Amarinder is not capable of taking any action; I would like to request Rahul Gandhi (Congress president) to intervene in the matter and cancel the nomination of tainted candidate Ladi.” Khaira also asked Ladi to come out and clarify his stand about the “sting” video; and demanded an independent probe by a judicial officer.

SAD activists led by Adampur MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu and Shahkot candidate Naib Singh burnt an effigy of Ladi after the police registered the case. Tinu said they handed over a memorandum demanding his arrest to the tehsildar. Addressing the media, Tinu said he wondered how elections can be conducted “when both civil and police administration are under pressure”. “Congress is making a mockery of the system and wants to loot this election. We demand that the election be conducted under the security of paramilitary forces in a fair manner.”

In Amritsar, terming the FIR a “drama”, AAP’S state unit co-president Balbir Singh asked the CM “if this is meant to benefit the Akalis”. Declaring that the party will name its candidate on Saturday, he said, “First a video of Ladi went viral; then Captain Amarinder persuaded Rahul Gandhi to name Ladi as the party nominee even amid allegations of illegal sand mining, and then the FIR was registered.”

About the likely AAP nominee, he said six leaders have been shortlisted.

First a video of Ladi went viral; then Capt Amarinder persuaded Rahul Gandhi to name Ladi as the party nominee even amid allegations of illegal sand mining, and then the FIR was registered! BALBIR SINGH, Punjab AAP co-chief