Cong to EC: Shunt poll observer

On the last day of campaigning,Faridkot city was abuzz,not with speeches and meetings but controversies. So while on one side the Congress sent a written complaint to the Election Commission of Indfia and its state unit demanding the transfer of election observer Sanjay Parshad,on the other side tense scenes were witnessed after huge screens displaying speeches by Akali candidate Deep Malhotra began playing near the liquor vends owned by the liquor baron. Youth Congress leader Raghbir Singh said,“We tried to call the election observer last evening to inform him that money was being sent to the house of an Akali supporter in Ghughiana village and that this money was to be distributed amongst the voters. However,the observer did not pick up the phone.”

Election Observer Sanjay Parshad,however,denied the charges claiming that he was here to ensure that model code of conduct for elections was implemented in its true spirit.

Meanwhile. the situation in the city turned tense after huge television screens displaying campaign speeches of Akali candidate Deep Malhotra began playing at the liquor vends owned by him. Congress workers arrived at the vends,but the police managed to diffuse the situation and got the screens removed.