Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Rejects Opposition Claims on Rural Elections
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday strongly attacked the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal.
He dismissed their allegations of high-handedness in the rural body elections.
Mann said the opposition had already accepted defeat in the polls.
He was responding to claims made about the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
Opposition parties alleged misuse of official machinery by the AAP government.
They also accused the ruling party of blocking nominations.
Addressing the media in Chandigarh, Mann called the accusations baseless.
He said such statements reflected political frustration.
According to him, the opposition lacked public support.
CM Targets Channi Over Fake Ballot Paper Claim
Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi accused the AAP government of printing fake ballots.
He claimed this happened ahead of the December 14 rural polls.
Mann termed the allegation irresponsible and misleading.
He said the Congress and SAD were making excuses.
“They have accepted defeat,” Mann said firmly.
He added that the opposition was blaming the government to hide failure.
Mann questioned why opposition leaders avoided introspection.
He said voters were clearly supporting the AAP.
Therefore, allegations appeared politically motivated.
Unopposed Wins Undercut High-Handedness Allegations
Mann cited election data to counter the charges.
He said several candidates won seats unopposed.
These included AAP, Congress, and Independent nominees.
Out of 2,833 Block Samiti zones, many candidates faced no contest.
AAP had 340 unopposed winners, Mann said.
Congress had three, while Independents had eight.
“If opposition candidates won unopposed, where was high-handedness?” Mann asked.
He said this contradicted allegations of intimidation.
According to him, the nomination process was fair.
Nomination Data Shows Fair Contest, Says Mann
Bhagwant Mann shared figures on Panchayat Samiti contests.
He said AAP fielded 2,771 candidates.
Congress contested 2,433 seats.
The Akali Dal fought 1,814 seats, he added.
The BJP fielded 1,127 candidates.
The BSP contested 195 seats.
SAD (Amritsar) had three candidates.
Another 686 candidates contested as others.
Bhagwant Mann asked how nominations passed scrutiny if rigging existed.
He said officials accepted nomination papers across parties.
This showed neutrality, he claimed.
Mann insisted the system functioned transparently.
Allegations Against SAD Over Gangster Links
Bhagwant Mann also targeted the Shiromani Akali Dal.
He accused the party of seeking gangster support during elections.
He cited incidents after the Tarn Taran polls.
According to Mann, SAD repeated such tactics in rural elections.
He said this raised serious concerns.
However, he did not name specific individuals.
Opposition parties earlier accused AAP of intimidation.
They claimed police prevented candidates from filing nominations.
Mann rejected these claims strongly.
CM Highlights AAP’s Governance Record
Mann said AAP sought votes based on governance.
He listed achievements delivered by his government.
These included 600 units of free electricity.
He also mentioned free irrigation water for farmers.
Mann said roads in villages had improved.
He highlighted the opening of mohalla clinics.
Additionally, 17 toll plazas were shut in rural areas.
“These works speak for us,” Mann said.
He accused the opposition of spreading falsehoods.
Bajwa Slams SEC Over Alleged Inaction
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa criticised the State Election Commission.
He accused the SEC of silence despite formal complaints.
Bajwa alleged misuse of police machinery.
He said voter intimidation occurred in several areas.
Bajwa mentioned incidents in Gurdaspur district.
He claimed sensitive booths faced serious threats.
He wrote to the State Election Commissioner.
He demanded stronger security and monitoring.
Bajwa sought CCTV coverage with live streaming.
Congress Alleges Police Intimidation in Villages
Bajwa cited an incident in Alma village.
He alleged police raided a Congress worker’s house.
According to him, the raid followed political pressure.
He said women family members faced harassment.
Police allegedly searched property without cause.
No incriminating material was recovered, Bajwa claimed.
He demanded disciplinary action against officers.
Bajwa also sought transfers of partisan officials.
He warned fairness in elections was at risk.
Political Temperature Rises Ahead of Poll Outcome
Bajwa accused the AAP government of suppressing dissent.
He said the SEC’s silence sent a dangerous signal.
According to him, fear tactics harmed democracy.
Meanwhile, the AAP dismissed all allegations.
Mann reiterated confidence in people’s mandate.
The rural polls remain politically charged in Punjab.