
BJP, Akali Dal allege ruling party distributed freebies, money ahead of Ludhiana West bypoll
Ludhiana: A day before the voting for the Ludhiana West bypoll, the Bharatiya Janata Party held a press conference on Wednesday, where they appealed to the public to go and vote without any fear of the administration and police.
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The state general secretary of BJP, Anil Sarin, while addressing the press conference, alleged that the ruling party is bent on winning this seat at any cost so that AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal could reach the Rajya Sabha.
Sarin, while addressing the press conference, claimed that the election commission is responsible for free and fair elections and it is not allowed for any candidate or party to lure or threaten the voters.
He said it is sad indeed to see that the govt is trying every possible effort to lure the voter. Sarin claimed that the ruling party is sensing its defeat in the election and that is why they are distributing ration, school bags, stationery, suits, sarees, electronics material, liquor, and money among the voters.
He questioned when the govt claimed that they worked hard in the past 3.5 years, then what is the need to adopt such tactics. While taking a dig at CM Bhagwant Mann, he said CM Bhagwant Mann knows they are going to lose this seat, so he already left the ground in advance. He said many cases surfaced where anti-social elements are made to join the party and unwanted people are given police cover. Why are all these things happening?
The district administration is responsible for free and fair elections, but it appears that officials are also being threatened, and illegal activities are being conducted by them.
The AAP is doing this on a large scale, and the district administration will have to stop this immediately. Cops are advised to do their jobs judiciously and, instead of becoming agents of AAP, they should control illegal activities.
He further requested the ECI to take strict action against these illegal activities, and action should be taken against the party adopting such tactics. BJP demands ECI should take note of these activities, and they raised the matter with ECI already, and they are hopeful action will be taken against the erring persons.
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The BJP state general secretary Anil Sarin, district president Rajnish Dhiman, media panellist Dr Kamaljit Soi, Narinder Malhi, and press secretary Dr Satish Kumar were present at the press conference.
Ghumman alleged distribution of money by AAP
The Shiromani Akali Dal candidate, advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, alleged that the ruling party was distributing money and other items to the voters. He was seen arguing with AAP councillor Sunny Master for the alleged distribution of things to the voters. He advised him not to support Delhi AAP leaders because Delhi people are not going to stay here; only Punjabis are to stay in Punjab.

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