Campaigning ends, mudslinging starts

On the other hand, Bains claimed that he has “vowed never to support Akalis again”. “I appeal to people of Ludhiana to never vote for candidate of a party like Akali Dal which promotes drugs and liquor. I vow I will never support Akali Dal again,” said Bains, adding that “he will demand a CBI inquiry against Ayali and Akali Dal for land scam worth Rs 60 crore at Detwal village of Dakha”.

Ayali, however, targeted sitting MP Manish Tewari and remembered the plight of villagers living in the Army cantonment area. “Manish Tewari promised that villages like Baddowal, Threeke, Ayali Kalan etc will be released from defence area but that never happened. They are sitting on heaps of weapons buried underground, and any disaster can happen. I promise that I will solve the matter if elected,” said Ayali.

The SAD also went a step ahead and an appeal was issued by Ishar Singh Meharbaan and Malkit Singh Birmi, two former Congress leaders who recently joined the SAD, to “elect Ayali the winner”. Ayali also promised a model railway station and an airport on the last day.

AAP candidate H S Phoolka also targeted rivals and said, “Ruling party and Independent candidates are nervous, and they could possibly use unfair and unjust means to influence voters.