Congress MP Preneet Kaur Calls It Complete ‘Goondaraj’
PATIALA – Congress and Akali workers clashed all over Punjab ahead of Sunday’s civic polls.
In Patiala, the police arrested former Congress MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur for allegedly tearing the uniform of a policeman, injuring policewoman Gagandeep Kaur and hindering the poll process.
As soon as polling began at 8 am, tension began to brew in Wards 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11. While Congress leaders claimed that the Akalis had captured almost all polling booths, Patiala SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill said it was Congress workers led by Jalalpur who had tried to capture booths.
While the warring workers sustained minor injuries, a women constable suffered a fracture. More policemen were rushed to Ghanaur.
District president of the SAD and former minister Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur and Ghanaur MLA Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur alleged that Congress leaders not only indulged in rigging but manhandled Akali activists.
Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, who reached the trouble spot, said: “It is complete ‘goondaraj’ with the Akalis and the Punjab police beating up Congress leaders.”
Capt Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief, said there were apprehensions that the SAD-BJP combine would resort to rigging and the incidents of violence vindicated the Congress stand. “We appeal to the Election Commission to take cognisance of the matter and ensure that Akali and BJP workers are not allowed to resort to booth-capturing on June 10 when elections to the four municipal corporations are held”, he said.
