Badals allege booth capturing on home turf

MUKTSAR : Amid allegations from former chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal that Congress workers captured booths in several villages of Lambi constituency, voter turnout was recorded at 56% in Malout and 53% in Muktsar. SAD leaders and workers also cried foul over several incidents of violence in Muktsar district.

Clashes between SAD and Congress workers were reported from Lambi Dhab, Danewala and Kotli Sangar villages. Violence erupted in Killianwali, Bheetiwala, Lambi Dhab and Danewala in Lambi segment from where a close aide of the Badals, Tejinder Singh Midhukhera, is contesting.

At Chak Giljewala village, SAD leaders said some Congress workers attacked Gidderbaha halqa in-charge Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and his aides.

Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who along with Sukhbir, toured several villages in Lambi constituency, said, “The Congress fears a rout in these elections and is resorting to violence to tilt the scale in their favour. I have seen outsiders with sticks and other weapons in villages. This kind of politics is condemnable. Congress workers captured booths with the help of police.”

POLL PARTY ATTACKED IN MUKTSAR VILLAGE

In Sangudaun village in Muktsar, a clash was witnessed after Congress workers, attacked a poll party and snatched mobile phones of the staff. In the scuffle that followed ballot papers were torn. Some Akali leaders, including MLA Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, reached the spot and a clash followed. Some vehicles were damaged.

In Muktsar city, police rounded up 10 persons from the hotel of Manjinder Bittu, son of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. Bittu is contesting elections from Udekaran zila parishad zone. Police said 10 persons were rounded up from the hotel. They were carrying a licenced pistol in violation of norms.