New Delhi, May 11: A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal leaders on Friday met the Election Commission officials and sought deployment of paramilitary forces to ensure free and fair polling in Shahkot. They alleged violation of model code of conduct by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
SAD Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral, who was part of the delegation, said the meeting lasted for about 30 minutes. A memorandum was also submitted to the EC.
The delegation told the EC that Congress candidate Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia had “suppressed” the information regarding a criminal case registered against him in the election affidavit. SAD secretary general SS Dhindsa, vice-presidents Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Daljit Singh Cheema and MP Balwinder Singh Bhundur were others members of the delegation.
The leaders alleged that the CM was resorting to intimidation of officials, besides tapping of phones of his rivals. They sought a probe. They alleged that Capt Amarinder put pressure on Mehatpur SHO Parminder Singh Bajwa, who was associated with the conduct of the Shahkot bypoll, to withdraw an FIR registered against Laddi.
The delegation objected to the CM welcoming leaders of other parties into the Congress fold during a rally in Shahkot and giving a clean chit to the Congress candidate. Gujral said the delegation pointed out to the EC that the SHO was arrested on Friday and sought his protection. The official was deputed by the EC from a panel of three names.
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