Congress man injured in ‘firing’ by Akali supporters

Sodhi alleged that senior Akali leader and SAD constituency in-charge Vardev Singh Mann’s PA Bachittar Singh entered into an an argument with his (Sodhi’s) PA Naseeb Singh over the filing of nomination papers. The brawl turned violent turn as both the parties attacked each other.

Sodhi alleged that Mann and his supporters also fired at the Congress workers in which Naseeb Singh sustained a bullet injury in his thigh. He was later admitted to Baghi Hospital in Ferozepur.

“When I came to inquire about the Naseeb Singh’s condition,my way was blocked by Vardev Mann,Gursewak Mann and others. They also fired in the air to intimidate me,” the Congress MLA alleged.

Condemning the incident,Rana Sodhi said Congress workers will organize a dharna in Ferozepur Wednesday in protest against the atrocities unleashed by the Akalis. He termed the incident as a “murder of democracy”,saying that Akalis have taken law in their hands.

Sodhi said that he spoke to SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who assured strict action against the culprits. A police complaint was also filed with the Ferozepur police who was investigating the matter.

Meanwhile,Vardev Singh Mann denied all the allegations. He said that not even a single bullet was fired nor any Congress worker was attacked. “It is a totally fabricated story” he added.

When contacted,SSP Ferozepur Varinder Pal Singh said that the police has not received any written complaint.

Meanwhile,the condition of the injured person who is currently undergoing treatment in a private hospital is stated to be stable,hospital sources said.

In a related report,Congress leader Khushaldeep Singh Dhillon alleged that SAD leader Parambans Bunty Romana misbehaved with him in the returning officer’s office when he reached there along with the party candidates to them file nomination papers. Rumana,however,denied the allegations.

A Congress candidate,Veerpal Kaur,who came to file papers for block samiti elections,alleged that her purse was snatched within the administrative complex and her covering candidate Tehal Singh’s papers were snatched and torn by unidentified persons. She alleged that it was done at the behest of SAD leaders.

Meanwhile,Condemning the attack on Congress legislature Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and other party workers in Mamdot,leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar said “it further strengthens our view point that law of jungle prevails across the state.

“If an elected representative who had served as Chief Parliamentary Secretary too is not safe,what can a common man expect from the law enforcing machinery that is governed by SAD-BJP.”

Demanding judicial inquiry in to the Mamdot incident,Jakhar urged the Election Commission to deploy central security forces and appoint observers from other states to inculcate confidence in the electorate in fair process of electioneering.

“We are going to approach the Governor also with request to direct the state government to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Congress will expose the misdeeds and musclemen tactics of the ruling party as we lay siege at Golu Ka Maur near Guru Har Sahai on Fazilka-Ferozepur road on Wednesday,” he added.

Chulha Tax payment

The Congress candidates from Faridkot Tuesday alleged that the BDPOs concerned did not provide them the opportunity of depositing the chulha tax —- mandatory before submitting the nomination papers —— and hence they had to file the nominations by giving affidavits stating that they wanted to pay the tax,but the it was not taken from them. Chulha tax is prevalent in villages and comes to about Rs 7 per month. They said it may lead to mass rejection of papers. Similar complaints came from Independent contestants from Fazilka. Fifteen candidates from Jaswinder Singh Rocky group —- Independent candidate —- also alleged that they could not pay chulha tax and hence could not file nomination papers.

Block samiti: 10,085 nominations

A total 1,321 nominations for zila parishad and 10,085 nominations for panchayat samitis were filed,an election office spokesman said Tuesday. He said that Ludhiana witnessed most candidates (791) filing nominations for block samitis whereas with the filing of 98 nomination papers for zila parishad,Sangrur stood first among all the districts. The process to elect 145 block samitis and 22 zila parishads in Punjab got underway on May 3. Scrutiny of the papers would be done on May 8 and papers could be withdrawn till May 9. Voting would be conducted on May 19 and counting of votes and results would take place on May 21.