A complete farce, says Amarinder
Monday, 11/06/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120611/punjab.htm#4
Condemning “widespread booth capturing” in all municipal wards across Patiala, PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh said: “it is the murder of democracy by the ruling alliance”. He said the elections were a complete “farce”. “When they (Akalis) had already decided to capture booths and not allow anyone cast his vote, what was the purpose of holding the elections? he said and accused Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of “exhausting all his energies in Patiala and using unfair means in the elections”.
The PCC chief said Badal seemed to be desperate to win the Patiala MC poll. Masked youths under the patronage of Akali leader Prem Singh Chandumajra and supported by the police were freely capturing booths and preventing people from voting, he alleged. “Akali goons even attacked two photo journalists. The police instead of preventing booth capturing only facilitated it,” Capt Amarinder said.
He said cameras installed at polling stations were smashed and damaged to ensure that nothing got recorded. “The apprehension of local Congress leaders who had approached the HC for Central security forces stands vindicated,” he said.
Re-polling in Ward 1
Patiala District Magistrate GK Singh said there was some problem in Ward No. 1. “I am waiting for a report from the election staff and if required, I will recommend re-polling”. On allegations of violence and booth capturing, he said he had not received any complaint in this regard, but had instructed the police to take action, if any genuine complaint was received.
Allegations baseless, says Chandumajra
SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra said Amarinder’s allegations were baseless. “It is sad that a leader like Capt Amarinder is indulging in such tactics to defame the SAD-BJP alliance. No one has assaulted any Congress leader or candidate,” he claimed.
