Cong calls for rescheduling of gram panchayat polls

The Congress leaders alleged that 80 per cent nomination papers of the opposition candidates were rejected on frivolous grounds or by forging the documents. They further alleged that election symbols were allotted a day after the fixed date of June 11.

Brar and Harbhajan Singh alleged that election staff, in controversial Mamdot Block, had collected Rs 17 lakh as illegal gratification for rejecting nomination papers of opposition candidates in 32 panchayats paving the way for unopposed election of Akali candidates.

Villagers in the Ghal Khurd and Mamdot blocks of the district, whose returning officers have been transferred and charge-sheeted, allege that election record, affidavits and due clearance certificates had been tampered with at the instance of Akali leaders, and for monetary consideration.

An influential leader, on condition of anonymity, said that papers of more than two dozen sarpanches in Ghal Khurd block were rejected on baseless objections. He alleged that Naib Tehsildar Madan Mohan posted as returning officer (now transferred) in the block had issued large number of clearance certificates of panchayat dues to candidates, which he was not empowered to do.