The final day for filing nominations for the upcoming zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections in Punjab was overshadowed by violent confrontations and chaos on Tuesday. Workers from the three major political parties—the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—clashed at multiple locations, turning the democratic process into a scene of disorder.
Violence Erupts in Gurdaspur's Dera Baba Nanak
One of the most serious incidents occurred in the Dera Baba Nanak tehsil of Gurdaspur district. Here, a confrontation between workers of the Congress and the AAP quickly escalated beyond verbal arguments. The situation turned physically violent, with reports of slapping and the highly disrespectful act of pulling off each other's turbans. The police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.
Adding a political dimension to the clash, Udayveer Singh Randhawa, the son of Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, arrived at the scene. He accused the ruling AAP government of engaging in hooliganism. Congress leaders present at the spot also raised loud slogans against the Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Superintendent of Police.
During the protest, Udayveer Singh Randhawa was seen having a live video call with his father, MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. The MP was heard giving instructions to his son and other Congress leaders accompanying him. On the other side, AAP leadership countered the allegations, claiming that it was Congress leaders who tried to disrupt the nomination filing process.
Chaos Grips Amritsar's SDM Office
Parallel scenes of unrest unfolded in Amritsar. At the SDM Office-2, a verbal argument broke out between a Shiromani Akali Dal candidate and an AAP candidate. This disagreement soon spiraled into a physical clash. Mirroring the incident in Gurdaspur, the turbans of several individuals were pulled off during the scuffle, further intensifying the tension at the nomination centre.
A Troubled Electoral Process
These widespread clashes have cast a shadow over the lead-up to the rural local body elections in Punjab. The incidents highlight the heightened political tensions and the fierce competition for grassroots power. The involvement of high-profile political families and the allegations traded between the ruling party and the opposition point to a deeply charged atmosphere.
The police are now tasked with investigating the specific events at each location to determine the instigators. The state election authorities will also be under pressure to ensure that the actual voting day passes peacefully, allowing voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation. These events serve as a stark reminder of the challenges in maintaining decorum during the heated political season in the state.
