The political climate in Punjab has reached a boiling point ahead of the December 14 Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections, with the state's principal opposition party, the Congress, launching scathing accusations against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Congress has charged the AAP government with engaging in "blatant hooliganism" and "strangulating democracy" by systematically preventing its candidates from filing nomination papers.
Allegations of Orchestrated Disruption and Police Misuse
The controversy intensified with the circulation of a viral audio clip, purportedly featuring police officials instructing personnel to obstruct opposition nominations. Citing this clip, the Punjab Congress alleged that the state government is openly misusing the police and district administration for political gains. Congress MLA Pargat Singh stated that the AAP "crossed all limits" on the final day of nominations, with party workers engaging in organized hooliganism from early morning across multiple regions.
Congress leader Bhagwant Pal Singh Satcher went a step further, accusing the police of acting like AAP volunteers. He sarcastically suggested that "The Punjab Police should remove their khaki-blue turbans and wear AAP's 'Main Bhi Kejriwal' caps instead." Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, commenting on the Patiala police audio clip, said that while its authenticity (whether AI-generated or real) was unclear, the abuse of police machinery was a hallmark of the AAP government. He asserted that the actions discussed in the clip were already happening on the ground and being recorded by citizens.
A Trail of Violent Incidents Across the State
The Congress provided a detailed account of violent incidents that allegedly unfolded on nomination day:
- Dera Baba Nanak Block: Congress candidates were reportedly physically attacked inside a government office, and their turbans were forcibly removed—an act considered deeply disrespectful. This incident was captured on video and widely shared on social media.
- Rajasansi (Amritsar): A Congress candidate was allegedly beaten and sustained serious head injuries in full view of police officials, who did not intervene.
- Majitha Constituency: Congress leader Satcher claimed that not a single Congress candidate was allowed to submit nomination papers, with police personnel actively blocking them.
- Rajpura, Ghanaur, and Nabha: The party alleged that nomination documents of Block Samiti candidates were snatched and torn, and the candidates were barred from entering government offices.
In Zira, a former MLA held an overnight protest, accusing the government of forcing Congress candidates to withdraw and preventing fresh filings. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira also alleged that police in the Bholath subdivision were "brazenly hijacking the democratic process." Adding to the claims, Warring shared an instance where a Congress leader, whose wife was to file papers, was allegedly picked up by the local Station House Officer (SHO) and moved from place to place to prevent the nomination.
A Crisis for Democratic Norms
These widespread allegations paint a picture of a deeply troubled electoral process for the local body polls. The Congress has framed these events not as isolated incidents but as a concerted effort by the ruling dispensation to undermine democratic institutions and eliminate opposition through force and administrative overreach. The party has positioned itself as a victim of state-sponsored intimidation, with the police force allegedly transformed into a political tool. The coming days are likely to see heightened political tensions as the election date of December 14 approaches, with the opposition demanding accountability and a level playing field. The incidents raise serious questions about the conduct of free and fair elections at the grassroots level in Punjab.
