CHANDIGARH: The AAP government in Punjab, fearing a visible defeat in the upcoming Zila Parishad & Block Samiti elections, is utilizing the police machinery and civil officers, much like its party workers. Pressure is being created on opposition candidates to stop them from filing nomination papers.
Not only this, in several constituencies, the police have been conducting raids on candidates’ houses, locking their gates, picking up family members, tearing their documents, and blocking roads to obstruct their movement. This was stated by BJP Punjab General Secretary Anil Sareen while addressing a press conference today at the party headquarters in Chandigarh in the presence of State Spokesperson S.S. Channi, State Media Head Vineet Joshi, and State Legal Cell Chief Advocate N.K. Verma.
Anil Sareen said, “The police are no longer upholding the law; they are functioning like AAP’s B-team. This is not democracy—these are signs of dictatorship in the state.” He said all these actions clearly amount to government-backed hooliganism.
He also showed some video clips in which the police were seen picking up Vikas Pandey, husband of BJP candidate Priyanka Pandey from Jandali in Patiala district, at around 5 a.m., and incidents of tearing nomination files of candidates in Rajpura and Ghanaur.
➖ AAP’s ‘special tactics’ to intimidate opposition candidates
Sareen said the AAP government is indulging in dirty politics at the lowest level. He alleged that a systematic plan is being executed to prevent opposition candidates from reaching the office to file nomination papers.
Routes of candidates are being blocked, and threats are being issued. The state government is openly trying to influence the election process.
➖ Silence of the Election Commission raises serious questions
Sareen said that although countless complaints with evidence have been sent to the Election Commission, no action is being taken.
He said the Election Commission, by remaining silent, is itself raising doubts about the fairness of the elections. “Has the Commission’s job been reduced to merely reading documents?” he asked.
➖ BJP will not hesitate to take to the streets to defend democracy
BJP’s State General Secretary Anil Sareen said the party will not back down in the face of threats. Wherever democracy is strangled, the BJP will stand firmly. If needed, the party will take to the streets in thousands to fight this battle.