Cong protests against AAP move to dissolve panchayats: dictatorial, attack on federal structure

The decision was a ‘direct attack on the federal structure of the country and a violation of the Constitution”, he said.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring slammed the Bhagwant Mann government for the “dictatorial” decision and asked, “What if the Punjab Governor uses his constitutional powers and dissolves the AAP government six months before its tenure? Would the chief minister remain silent or would he cry for justice?”

Alleging the ruling party of Punjab was attempting to “intimidate” the leaders and members of panchayats across the state, Bajwa stressed that the Congress party would not tolerate any such “atrocity”. “These actions, though purportedly undertaken in the name of governance, seem to belie AAP’s commitment to democratic principles and the federal structure of our country,” Bajwa said.

In a letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Bajwa said, “It is perplexing that the dates for Panchayat elections have been announced so much in advance, with panchayat samitis and zila parishads slated to be held by November 25, 2023, followed by panchayat elections in two phases by December 31, 2023.”

“While the importance of timely elections cannot be overstated, it is equally vital to ensure that due process is followed and the sanctity of the electoral process is maintained. The haste with which these dates have been announced so early raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process,” Bajwa wrote.

He said the move that raises serious legal and ethical concerns. “The law explicitly prohibits the truncation of elected representatives’ tenure except in cases of public interest…the action appear to have a political underpinning aimed at consolidating power…the rights of 1,00,312 elected representatives, including 41,922 women, have been compromised”.

The ‘dharna’ was attended by Congress MLAs, former MLAs and district presidents who raised slogans against the AAP government and demanded that the decision to dissolve the panchayats be revoked immediately.

Warring said, “We will continue to fight against this unconstitutional and undemocratic decision and press the government to withdraw the decision.” The Punjab Congress has already filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the AAP government’s decision to dissolve the panchayats.