With a district officer alleging threat from three Congress legislators for not rejecting the nomination papers of some candidates for Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti polls, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday said it proves the charge of rigging in these polls scheduled for 19 September.
In a complaint to the state election commission, Moga’s additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Jagwinderjit Singh Grewal had on Wednesday alleged that three members of the legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the district — Dr Harjot Kamal (Moga), Darshan Singh Brar (Baghapurana) and Kaka Sukhjit Singh Lohgarh (Dharamkot) — had threatened him for not rejecting the nomination papers of some candidates.
The ADC also alleged the three MLAs had stormed into his office along with hundreds of their supporters when the scrutiny of the nomination papers was going on. The three MLAs have, however, rejected the charge and complained to the Speak of the Assembly, chief secretary and election commission alleging misbehaviour on the part of the ADC.
Meanwhile, the SAD has demanded registration of criminal cases against three Congress legislators of Moga district for threatening the ADC and for obstructing a government official from performing his legitimate official duties.
In a statement, SAD spokesman and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said the ADC Grewal’s has not only divulged the details to the media but even shot a complaint to the state election commissioner amply vindicates SAD accusation of large scale rejection of its nominees across the state.
“What is revealed is just tip of iceberg. This has happened all over the state and the Congress MLAs and other leaders had persuaded, cajoled and threatened the officials to obey their dictates to reject the potential winning candidates in their areas.