In Malerkotla,Barnala,rickshaws used to ply voters

Ducking the Election Commission order banning vehicles around polling booths,candidates used rickshaws on Monday to ply voters from their homes to polling booths in smaller towns.

Ducking the Election Commission order banning vehicles around polling booths,candidates used rickshaws on Monday to ply voters from their homes to polling booths in smaller towns. Almost all rickshaws were booked,leaving the commuters harassed.

While in Barnala and adjoining Mehal Kalan,rickshawalas were discreet,in Malerkotla,rows of rickshaws displaying party flags could be seen moving about openly picking up people from their homes.

We started at 8.30 in the morning and have been booked for the entire day. Though we have been booked through our thekedar,we have been promised an assured sum of at least Rs 250 for the day, said one such rickshawpuller,who along with 10 others,was stationed near Sirhindi Gate in Malerkotla.

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On the Congress flag fluttering on his vehicle,he said: This has been put up by the party people. All those who want to vote for the Congress can travel on our rickshaw.

Kamal,a harassed commuter in Barnalas Sanghera Chowk,however,complained: There is this acute shortage of rickshaws. I have to take my grandmother home but there is no rickshaw. I cannot hire one for all have been booked by the candidates.

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