TARN TARAN: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the Aam Aadmi Party’s gambit to influence the Tarn Taran bypoll by misusing the police force had been thwarted by brave SAD workers and the Election Commission which had taken note of the illegal detention and harassment of Akali workers and suspended SSP Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal.
Congratulating party workers for defeating tyranny in line with Panthic traditions at a massive public meeting which sought to cement the party's victory in the by polls on November 11, the SAD president said “the Tarn Taran election will be a watershed moment in Punjab’s history. It will pave the way for the ouster of AAP and usher in the SAD to power in 2027”.
Thousands of workers, with huge party flags in hands, attended the rally at village Chabal. Interestingly, the party president opted to ride a motorcycle to reach the venue as there was kilometers long traffic jam on all roads leading to the Akali pandal.
Amidst slogans of “Sukhbir Badal zindabad” and “Sukhbir teri soch te pehra devange thok ke”, the SAD president welcomed the Election Commission of India’s decision to suspend Tarn Taran SSP Dr Ravjot Grewal for vitiating the election atmosphere in the bypoll by acting as a polling agent of the Aam Aadmi Party. He said the SSP had resorted to registration of false cases against Akali leaders and brazen illegal detention and intimidation of Akali workers. Thanking the Election Observer for reporting the matter forcefully to the EC after a formal complaint submitted on behalf of the party by him yesterday, Mr Sukhbir Badal said “SSP Dr Ravjot Grewal’s criminally partisan conduct calls for initiation of a formal probe against her as well as resultant disciplinary action including dismissal from service”. He also urged other civil and police officers of the constituency not to follow the unconstitutional orders of the AAP leadership and ensure free and fair elections else they would also be held accountable as per law.