Turnout tanks in all 4 segments amid skirmishes
Notices issued to MP Bittu, Cong MLA Zira and SAD nominee Ayali; segment sees 71.6% turnout
CHANDIGARH : Over 60% turnout was witnessed in the byelections to four assembly seats -- Phagwara (reserve), Jalalabad, Dakha and Mukerian -- in Punjab on Monday, with sporadic skirmishes being reported between the ruling Congress and opposition workers.
Polling was slow in the morning, but as the day progressed it picked up pace. The results of the elections will be declared on October 24.
While Jalalabad recorded a polling of 78.6% (highest among four seats) Dakha saw a turnout of 71.6%. The polling percentage in Mukerian and Phagwara was 59% and 55.9%, respectively.
Officials said the polling percentage will change as the data was being tabulated. The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal said one of their workers was injured in a firing incident in Dakha.
The election commission issued notices to three Congress leaders, including Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu, Zira MLA Kulbir Singh and party’s Phagwara candidate Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal,
for violating poll code. Dakha SAD candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali also got EC notice for taking to the social media platform to seek votes.
“The polling was peaceful,” Punjab chief electoral officer S Karuna Raju said. SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema claimed that a party activist was shot at when he tried to stop Congress workers from casting bogus votes”. The EC directed Ludhiana DIG to take over supervision of the model code of conduct and other security measures from the SSP (rural) in Dakha assembly constituency. The Akali Dal has lodged a complaint against the SSP (rural) and sought that he be replaced.
LUDHIANA/DAKHA: The Dakha assembly segment witnessed 71.64% turnout amid sporadic incidents of violence on Monday. In the 2017 assembly polls, Dakha recorded 81% turnout.
A Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) worker was injured in a firing incident in Jangpur village in the evening.
Minor clashes and heated exchange of words between Congress and SAD supporters were witnessed outside a few polling booths during the day.
The election commission too was on its toes and issued notices to senior party leaders for poll code violation.
Akali worker Gurpreet Singh Gopi, national-level football player, received a bullet injury in his leg and three other persons were also hurt when SAD and Congress workers clashed outside a polling booth in Jangpur village. Gopi was rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.
The incident took place in the evening when the polling was drawing to a close.
The trouble started when a group led by Congress leader Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal reached the spot alleging that some SAD workers were still inside the polling station.
In a video grab, Bhola was seen walking towards the polling station located at the government school of the village.
This enraged the SAD workers and they ran towards Bhola to stop him. This led to a clash between the two groups.
In the melee, five shots were fired. Mullanpur deputy superintendent of police GS Bains said a case will be registered after recording statements of eyewitnesses and the injured.
VIDEOS LAND LEADERS IN SOUP
Congress’ Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, party MLA Kulbir Singh Zira and former MLA and SAD candidate Manpreet Singh
Ayali courted trouble for their Facebook posts.
Bittu appeared live on Facebook on Sunday from Boparai Kalan village.
Ludhiana (rural) SSP Sandeep Goel mentioned in a report that Bittu had left before the police reached the spot.
Deputy inspector general (DIG Ludhiana range) Ranbir Singh Khatra said Bittu has been asked to join inquiry for violating model code of conduct.
Zira also appeared live on his Facebook account on Sunday and threatened SAD candidate and supporters.
Punjab chief electoral officer (CEO) S Karuna Raju said a show-cause notice was issued to
Ravneet Singh Bittu and Kulbir Singh Zira for violation of model code of conduct.
In a complaint moved by Congress candidate Capt Sandeep Sandhu’s counsel, it was alleged that SAD nominee Ayali violated model code of conduct by seeking votes on Facebook on Sunday when the campaigning was over.
Dakha returning officer-cumSDM Amarinder Singh Malhi has written to Ludhiana rural police to initiate action against Ayali.
The DIG said an inquiry against Ayali has been marked to Dakha DSP. Ayali appeared live on his Facebook account on Monday too.
SAD WORKERS BOOKED FOR VANDALISING CAR
Tension prevailed in Sarabha village on Sunday night after SAD workers allegedly vandalised a vehicle belonging to a Congress leader’s friend.
A case has been registered against seven Akali leaders and other unidentified persons at the Jodhan police station on the complaint of Congress leader Karan Warring.
Police said SAD candidate tried to breach model code of conduct by bringing hundreds of workers and at least 40 vehicles to Sarabha claiming that Zira was trying to influence voters.