Congress-Akali Dal Has History of Violence and Election Rigging; But Now Out of Frustration They Are Making False Allegations to Defame AAP: Kuldeep Dhaliwal
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Dhaliwal attacked the Akali Dal and Congress, saying that their history has been one of violence and rigging, but under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, for the first time in Punjab’s history, the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections are going to be conducted fairly and peacefully.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Dhaliwal said that preparations for the elections scheduled for the 14th are complete. By this evening, the final list of candidates (after scrutiny) will be released, and from tomorrow, candidates of all parties will begin campaigning.
Recalling the history of hooliganism and violence during these elections under Akali-Congress governments, he said that their leaders have attempted the same this time as well.
Referring to a shameful incident that took place yesterday in village Bhindi Saidan of the Raja Sansi assembly constituency, he said that last night, Congress leaders opened fire and attacked our Zila Parishad candidate Lakhwinder Singh Lakha and some AAP workers. This is extremely condemnable.
He said that as always, Congress has again resorted to violence to win elections through intimidation. This exposes Congress’ “low-level mindset.”
Referring to a video of former MLA Dalbir Singh Zira, in which he is heard saying that they used to have files delivered directly to their homes, Dhaliwal said that under the AAP government, not a single untoward incident has taken place anywhere in Punjab, nor have we ever withheld any government file for personal benefit. The truth is that the Akali and Congress parties could not even find candidates; therefore, they are making false allegations to defame AAP.
Putting Congress and Akali Dal governments in the dock, he said that during their rule, they used to declare their candidates winners in sarpanch elections by issuing direct lists without conducting elections at all. But under the AAP government, for the first time, elections have taken place freely and without any political discrimination.
Warning the opposition, Dhaliwal said that AAP contested sarpanch elections for the first time and is now contesting Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections. AAP candidates will win these elections as well. We will seek votes on the basis of the developmental work of the last four and a half years.
He said that the opposition is frustrated by the fact that ordinary families’ people have entered politics, and therefore they want to intimidate us. Warning the opposition parties, he said, “The hooliganism through which you have been winning elections till now will not work this time. I assure you that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, these elections too will be conducted completely peacefully, and strict action will be taken against hooligans.”