‘AAP brazenly distributing cash, free ration to voters in Ludhiana’: SAD, Cong complain to EC

Ludhiana district election officer (DEO) Himanshu Jain said he had “sought a report from the Returning Officer” on all such incidents reported during the day.

High drama unfolded at Sham Nagar near the Ludhiana bus stand, where Congress workers led by Mamta Ashu, wife of party candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu, claimed to have intercepted a mini-truck loaded with ration kits. She alleged the bags were meant for distribution by workers of AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora.

“We managed to stop the vehicle and the driver admitted on camera that the truck was sent by Khanna Police, who even fuelled it. The police are not mute spectators—they are helping the AAP candidate. Some bags were unloaded at a house displaying AAP posters, but the house was locked. Despite our repeated calls, police and administration did not raid the premises. Now the truck has also been taken away,” Mamta alleged.

In another incident, a man allegedly carrying a ration sack on a two-wheeler was stopped by Congress workers in the Jawahar Nagar Camp area. When the police were called, they allegedly manhandled the Congress worker and barged into his house. Videos of the altercation went viral, showing Congress candidate Ashu confronting local SHO Inspector Bikramjit Singh Ghuman.

“These officers are acting like AAP workers. Why would they stop them when they themselves are helping distribute rations?” Ashu shouted as the argument escalated.

Inspector Ghuman, SHO of Division Number 5 police station, denied the allegation and said the man on the two-wheeler “was not an AAP worker but was carrying rations for personal use.” He added, “When Congress workers slapped him, he got scared and came to the police station. That’s when we intervened.”

On the truck incident, Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said, “We have confiscated the truck under the Representation of the People Act. If the driver’s claim about being sent by Khanna Police is verified, an FIR will be registered.”

SAD candidate Parupkar Singh Ghumman alleged that “AAP workers were openly distributing cash and liquor in the Sunet area.” He said, “I caught a local councillor and Malerkotla MLA handing out cash—up to ₹50,000 per voter. They even tried to plant liquor bottles in our vehicle to frame us. But we have it all on video.”

Complaints to EC

Ashu, in his complaint to the EC, demanded FIRs against AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora, the transfer of all SHOs, and the removal of DSP (West) and SP. “AAP workers are openly distributing cash, liquor, and ration under full state protection,” he alleged.

Ghumman said he submitted two complaints—one to the police and another to the EC—adding, “Even though outsiders are barred from the constituency, the Malerkotla MLA is moving around freely.”

The BJP also weighed in, with state general secretary Anil Sarin accusing AAP of “intimidating voters” and distributing items including saris, school bags, electronic items like coolers and inverters, along with ration and liquor.

AAP hits back

Dismissing the allegations, AAP state president Aman Arora said, “Hooliganism is Congress’s culture. Ashu manhandling police is shameful. Their frustration is evident because AAP’s win is clear.”

FIR against Congress supporter

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, police registered an FIR at Haibowal police station against a man identified as Raj Kumar for allegedly distributing ration in favour of the Congress. Police said they recovered nine ration bags, a car, and a Congress flag from him.