The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its offensive against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over alleged hooliganism and blatant misuse of the state machinery during the elections to Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and the subsequent elections of Mayors and Council Presidents. A high-level BJP delegation led by Punjab BJP President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon met Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria today and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking his immediate intervention to safeguard constitutional norms and democratic institutions in the state.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Kewal Singh Dhillon launched a scathing attack on the AAP government, alleging that it had subverted the entire electoral process for political gain. He said the ruling party first manipulated ward delimitation to suit its interests, then intimidated opposition candidates, snatched nomination papers, and attempted to prevent them from contesting the elections.
During the campaign, opposition candidates were allegedly subjected to coercion and intimidation, while polling and counting were marred by blatant irregularities with the active connivance of the administration. He further alleged that despite lacking a majority, the AAP government is now installing its nominees as Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Presidents of Municipal Councils through administrative manipulation.
The delegation presented documentary evidence before the Governor to demonstrate that in several civic bodies where AAP did not enjoy a majority, the people's mandate was overturned through the misuse of the bureaucracy. Citing the Abohar Municipal Corporation as a glaring example, Dhillon said that in the 50-member House, the BJP enjoyed a clear majority with the support of 28 councillors and one MLA, whereas AAP had only 20 votes.
Despite this, the administration declared the AAP candidate as Mayor. Following strong protests by the BJP, the mayoral election had to be postponed. He further alleged that similar tactics were employed in Rajpura, Kapurthala, Barnala, and several other parts of Punjab, describing them as a serious assault on constitutional democracy.
In its memorandum, the BJP demanded the constitution of an independent, impartial and time-bound authority, external to the state government, to investigate the constitutional violations and the role played by officials during the elections. The party also sought the immediate preservation and examination of all election records, videography and official documents relating to the civic bodies in Abohar, Kapurthala, Rajpura, Barnala and other affected towns.
The memorandum further called for stringent legal action against officials found to have acted illegally under political pressure, fresh free and fair elections wherever the electoral process had been compromised, and firm directions to the state government to ensure the political neutrality of the civil administration in future elections.
Kewal Singh Dhillon asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party did not win these elections through democratic means but "looted the electoral mandate." Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria patiently heard the concerns raised by the BJP delegation and assured them that the allegations would be examined impartially and that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law.
The delegation comprised Punjab BJP President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon, along with senior BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar, Ashwani Sharma, Jangi Lal Mahajan, Rakesh Rathore, Dayal Singh Sodhi, Parminder Singh Brar, Amanjot Kaur Ramoowalia, Subhash Sharma, Vineet Joshi and Kaka Kamboj.