The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has raised serious allegations against the ruling government, accusing them of using state machinery to disrupt opposition candidates.
As the deadline for filing nominations for the upcoming Punjab Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council elections concluded today, the political atmosphere in the state has intensified. While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has expressed absolute confidence, major opposition parties have alleged strong-arm tactics and administrative manipulation.
Opposition alleges Administrative Bias over NOCs
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has raised serious allegations against the ruling government, accusing them of using state machinery to disrupt opposition candidates.
Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia formally filed a complaint with State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri against the Executive Officer (EO) of the Majitha Municipal Committee. Majithia alleged that opposition candidates were deliberately denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to prevent them from filing their nominations.
“Because our candidates were not given NOCs, we had to submit our papers using affidavits following election commission guidelines,” Majithia stated, warning that if the State Election Commission fails to deliver justice, the party will approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
High Court Halts Polls in Six Kharar Villages
In a significant legal development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a stay on election proceedings across six villages in the Kharar area. The residents of these villages had moved the court via a writ petition, arguing that they currently lack representation from both sarpanches and counselors, leaving local grievances unaddressed.
The High Court clarified that no election process can proceed in these specific areas until the ongoing wardbandi process is completed.
CM Bhagwant Mann Dismisses allegations, Promises fair play
Dismissing the opposition’s allegations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the public is heavily backing AAP due to the visible development in both rural and urban sectors. He pointed out achievements such as infrastructure upgrades, sewerage resolution, financial grants, and the removal of toll plazas as key reasons for public support.
Addressing concerns regarding the Special Summary Revision (SSR) and potential voter list manipulation, CM Mann assured that the state administration is in constant contact with the Election Commission to maintain absolute transparency.
“Punjab is not like West Bengal or Haryana where large-scale discrepancies or voter deletions can happen unnoticed,” Mann said, noting that Punjab’s close-knit communities naturally deter fraudulent voter registrations. However, he urged the Election Commission to meticulously investigate any legitimate complaints brought forward by opposition parties.
- Polling Date: May 26
- Results Declaration: May 29
- Scope: Elections will take place across 8 Municipal Corporations, 76 Municipal Councils, and 21 Nagar Panchayats.
