CHANDIGARH: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh described the booth capturing, intimidation and brutal abuse of state power during the Municipal Corporation elections today as the “murder of democracy” in Punjab.
Reacting to the developments which took place across the state, he said the Akali-BJP alliance wanted to win these elections at any cost and they used all foul means that they could, to win.
The PCC President also criticised the role of the police and local administration while maintaining that the State Election Commission either kept quiet or sided with the ruling alliance.
He said it is the saddest day in the history of Punjab when the Akali-BJP alliance let loose a reign of terror in a city like Patiala and did not allow people to cast their votes.
Referring to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s statement that elections were held in a free and fair manner he asked, “In Patiala we won two Assembly segments by a combined margin of 70,000 votes and what magic wand did Mr Badal wield that he won 39 of the 50 wards.”
He said same practices were resorted to at other places and some candidates belonging to the Akali-BJP alliance were declared elected although they had actually lost.
