Those offered money by Cong tried to bargain with SAD: Jain

He reiterated he had went to Deputy Chief minister Sukhbir Badal to “talk about my area’s development but he offered me party membership”.

He played the victim while ruling out that low voting percentage in urban areas would affect Sathi’s vote bank.

“Rain will affect me not Sathi. For the last 25 years,I have enjoyed maximum support from the urban areas. All inner wards in city such as 8,9,10,14 and 15 are supporting me not Sathi,” he said,adding that “People now know that being a part of ruling party,I will be able to work for them in better way.”

However,Jain also hinted at strong opposition from some leaders inside SAD because of whom he may suffer some loss. “There are people in my party whom I don;t want to name and who have opposed me strongly,” he said.

On the other hand,Congress’ Vijay Sathi alleged that the “Akalis crossed all limits of malpractices and dishonesty on Saturday.”

Citing an example from mythology,he said,“Lord Krishna became the sarthi (charioteer) for Arjuna. Let’s see who becomes the sarthi for a poor person like me. Akalis no doubt adopted their goonda and arm twisting tactics but I am sure,just as in Mahabharata,honesty will win in the end.”

“Saam,daam,dand,bhed apnaaya gaya,par jeet hamari hogi,” he said,adding that the downpour won’t affect his vote bank as the inner town recorded higher voting compared to the outer town. Which is in his favour.”

Meanwhile,making fresh allegations,PPP candidate,Ravinder Singh Dhaliwal,said,“There was not even a single village in which SAD did not distribute money. SAD leaders were roaming in Moga freely and Election Commission was doing nothing. Dyal Singh Koleyanwali,SGPC member,close to CM Parkash Singh Badal tried to capture booth number 79 in Charik village with around 100 SAD youth workers. They even registered 20-25 bogus votes.”

He said,“Money was distributed in front of so called central para-military forces but they did nothing. Its shameful”. He too claimed that rain will affect PPP vote bank

Returning officer,Joram Beda said 10 complaints were received on the polling day and all of them were related to polling and political leaders roaming in Moga. “Statements from sector magistrates said that nothing of that sort happened and thus they were disposed of,” Beda added.

The Chief electoral officer,Punjab,Kusumjit Sidhu added that “Police officials were rushed to chase out political leaders from Moga against who we had received complaints. But before we reach them,they had moved out,” Kusumjit added.